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闕下 (けっか) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

闕けっ下か

け

っ

か

Meanings

1

noun

before the Emperor; in the Emperor's presence

archaic

Archaic term referring to the area in front of the imperial palace or the Emperor's presence. Used in historical or classical contexts.

古こ記き録ろくには、闕けっ下かにて奏そう上じょうしたとある。
Ancient records state that it was reported before the Emperor.

Kanji

闕lack, gap, fail
下below, down, descend

Etymology

From Chinese 闕下 (quèxià), literally 'below the watchtower', referring to the area in front of the imperial palace. The exact historical derivation in Japanese is uncertain.