九ここの重え

also: きゅうちょう · くじゅう

こ

の

え

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

ninefold; nine-layered; many-layered

A literary noun meaning something having nine layers or folds; often functions attributively with の, as in 九重の塔. The idea may also suggest many layers rather than a purely mathematical count in poetic use.

その寺てらには、昔むかし、九ここの重えの塔とうがあったと伝つたえられ

て

いる

。

It is said that the temple once had a nine-tiered pagoda.

2

noun

imperial palace; the Court

Old literary extension from the image of a palace enclosed by many layers or gates. In modern ordinary prose, 宮中, 皇居, or 朝廷 would usually be clearer.

古こ典てんでは、九ここの重えが帝みかどの住すむ宮きゅう中ちゅうを指さすことがある。
In classical writing, 九重 can refer to the imperial palace where the emperor resides.

Usage patterns

九ここの重えの〈物もの〉nine-layered ~ (used attributively before a noun)
九ここの重えの塔とうが寺てらの境けい内だいにそびえている。
A nine-story pagoda towers within the temple grounds.
九ここの重えの内うちwithin the imperial court
九ここの重えの内うちで密ひそかに事ことが進すすめられた。
The matter was carried out secretly within the imperial court.

Kanji

九nine
重heavy, important, esteem

Related words

幾いく重え sense 1
九重 specifically evokes nine layers (often poetically for 'many'), while 幾重 simply means 'many layers' without the numeric image.
宮きゅう中ちゅう sense 2
宮中 is the plain modern word for the imperial court, while 九重 is the same idea expressed in classical, poetic language.
八や重え sense 1
八重 describes an eightfold or doubled layering (e.g. of petals), a close but distinct numeric image from 九重.
皇こう居きょN1sense 2
皇居 names the Imperial Palace as a concrete modern place, whereas 九重 is an old literary way of evoking the same court.
朝ちょう廷てい sense 2
朝廷 refers to the imperial court as a governing body, a more historical-administrative term than the poetic 九重.

Opposites

一ひと重えN1sense 1
一重 means a single layer, the direct opposite of the many-layered image in 九重.

Written forms

九重Usage70%
- ここのえ
  Primary attested reading with high priority. For the dictionary senses here, this is the safest display reading.
- きゅうちょう
  Attested on-yomi reading; mainly useful for lookup, as the literary senses are more often encountered with ここのえ.

Etymology

Literally written with 九 'nine' and 重 'layers/folds'. The reading ここのえ can be understood as native ここの 'nine' plus え 'fold/layer'; the palace sense is a literary extension from the idea of a many-layered or deeply enclosed imperial residence.

くじゅう

Attested alternate reading. It is especially easy to encounter as a name or place-name reading, so use with care for the common-noun senses.

くじゅうUsage30%

きゅうちょう