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砥糞 (とくそ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

砥と糞くそ

と

く

そ

Meanings

1

noun

grindstone sludge; sword-sharpening residue

Refers to the muddy, abrasive slurry produced when sharpening a blade on a whetstone. A technical or traditional craft term, not used in everyday conversation.

刀かたなを研といだあと、砥と糞くそをきれいに拭ふき取とる。
After sharpening the sword, wipe off the grindstone sludge thoroughly.

Kanji

砥whetstone, grindstone
糞shit, feces, excrement

Similar words

砥と石いし
砥石 is the whetstone itself, while 砥糞 is the waste sludge produced during sharpening.
研とぎ汁じる
研ぎ汁 is the cloudy water from washing rice or sharpening, but 砥糞 specifically refers to the gritty residue from a grindstone.

Etymology

Compound of 砥 (grindstone, whetstone) and 糞 (excrement, waste), literally 'grindstone waste'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is a straightforward description of the residue.