northern pavilion; north-facing room
Refers to the northern building or room in a traditional Japanese house or estate. Often used in classical or literary contexts.
The northern pavilion of the old mansion is cool even in summer.
A classical, indirect way to refer to one's mother, derived from the traditional association of the northern room with the mistress of the house. Rare in modern Japanese.
In Chinese poetry, 北堂 is used as an elegant term for mother.