also: おりめ
female weaver
Refers to a woman who weaves, often in a traditional or historical context. The reading おりめ is associated with the spelling 織り女, while しょくじょ is used with 織女.
She was known as the best female weaver in the village.
Only with reading しょくじょ
Astronomical term for the star Vega. The reading is restricted to しょくじょ. Often used in the compound 織女星 (しょくじょせい).
See also: 織女星 (しょくじょせい)
The female weavers wove beautiful silk cloth.
Vega shines especially bright in the summer night sky.
In the Tanabata legend, the Weaver Girl is identified with Vega in the constellation Lyra.
Standard kanji form for both the weaver and the star Vega. The reading しょくじょ is the primary reading for this spelling.
Alternate spelling for the female weaver sense, using the kun'yomi reading おりめ. Rarely used.
From Chinese 織女 (zhīnǚ), literally 'weaving woman'. The astronomical sense comes from the Chinese legend of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd, which is also the basis for the Japanese Tanabata festival.