笈きゅう

noun

box for carrying books on one's back

Historical term for a box-like container strapped to the back, used by traveling scholars or monks to transport books and documents.

• 昔むかしの旅たび僧そうは、笈きゅうに経きょう典てんを入いれて背せ負おった。

  Traveling monks of old carried sutras in a box on their backs.

noun

pilgrim's backpack box

Specifically a wooden box used by pilgrims to carry belongings. The reading おい is more common for this sense; きゅう is a rare alternative reading.

See also: 笈 (おい)

• お遍へん路ろさんは笈おいを背せ負おって四し国こくを巡めぐる。

  Pilgrims walk around Shikoku carrying a wooden backpack box.