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どうだんつつじ Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
Enkianthus perulatus ; white enkianthus
usually written using kana alone
A deciduous shrub of the heath family, native to Japan, known for its small white bell-shaped flowers in spring and brilliant red autumn foliage. Often used in gardens and ikebana.
ま
っ
赤か
に
紅葉もみじ
する
。
In autumn, the leaves of the white enkianthus turn bright red.
Written forms ドウダンツツジ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling, often used in botanical contexts or for emphasis.
満天星どうだんつつじ
Ateji kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
灯台躑躅どうだんつつじ
Kanji spelling using 躑躅 for つつじ; very rare.
満天星躑躅どうだんつつじ
Full kanji spelling; extremely rare.
灯台どうだん つつじ
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; uncommon.
満天星どうだん つつじ
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; uncommon.
Similar words つつじ つつじ is the general term for azalea, while どうだんつつじ refers specifically to Enkianthus perulatus, which is not a true azalea despite the name.
あせび あせび (Pieris japonica) is another heath family shrub with similar bell-shaped flowers, but its flowers are often pinkish and it is toxic to livestock.
Etymology The name どうだんつつじ is said to derive from the resemblance of its clustered flowers to traditional 灯台 (lighthouse/tōdai) or 満天星 (mantensei, 'star-filled sky'), combined with 躑躅 (tsutsuji, azalea). The exact origin is uncertain.
台 pedestal, a stand, counter for machines and vehicles 躑 squat, sit on heels, loiter 躅 tap with the feet, ruins 
