落おとし掛がけ

お

と

し

が

け

Meanings

lintel of an alcove or window in traditional Japanese architecture

Specifically the horizontal beam above the alcove (床の間) in a tea room or above a window in a shoin-style reception room. A technical term used in architecture and tea ceremony contexts.

茶ちゃ室しつの床とこの間まの落おとし掛がけには、一いち枚まいの板いたが使つかわれている。
A single board is used for the lintel of the alcove in the tea room.

noun

cloud-shaped carving on the bottom of a transom

Refers to a decorative cloud-shaped carving (also called 雲形) on the underside of a transom (欄間) in traditional Japanese architecture. This is a specialized ornamental term.

この欄らん間まの落おとし掛がけには、見み事ごとな雲くも形がたの彫ちょう刻こくが施ほどこされている。
The bottom of this transom has a splendid cloud-shaped carving.

noun

metallic bowl inside a wooden hibachi for holding charcoal

A metal bowl or lining placed inside a wooden hibachi (火鉢) to hold the burning charcoal. This usage is related to traditional heating implements and may be encountered in antique or cultural contexts.

Kanji

落fall, drop, come down
掛hang, suspend, depend
懸state of suspension, hang, depend

Related words

欄らん間ま
欄間 is the transom itself, while 落とし掛け in sense 2 refers specifically to the carved bottom part of it.
火ひ鉢ばち
火鉢 is the entire charcoal brazier, while 落とし掛け in sense 3 is the metal insert that holds the charcoal.

Built from

落おとす+かける

Written forms

落おとし掛がけ
Standard kanji spelling for this architectural term.
落おとし懸がけ
Variant using 懸け; less common but still seen.
落おとし掛がけ
Variant with 落し instead of 落とし; acceptable but less standard.
落おとし懸がけ
Rare variant combining 落し and 懸け.

Etymology

Compound of 落とし (otoshi, 'dropping') + 掛け (kake, 'hanging'). The term likely refers to something that is hung or placed in a lowered position, consistent with its architectural and implement uses.