also: まくわうり
Oriental melon; Makuwa melon
A variety of melon (Cucumis melo var. Makuwa) traditionally grown in East Asia. The reading まくわうり is the common name; てんか is a Sino-Japanese reading used mainly in botanical contexts.
See also: マクワウリ
In summer, my grandmother sends us Oriental melons.
The Oriental melon (tenka) is a plant of the gourd family.
Rare kanji spelling; the reading まくわうり is a jukujikun. The on'yomi reading てんか is also possible but uncommon.
Standard kana spelling for this melon variety.
Katakana form of the on'yomi reading; rarely used in practice.
The name まくわうり is said to derive from the Makuwa region (真桑) in Gifu Prefecture, where the melon was historically cultivated. The kanji 甜瓜 literally means 'sweet melon' and is a direct borrowing from Chinese.