also: とがた
square shape; square
Only with reading ますがた
General term for a square shape or form. Often used in contexts like measuring boxes, patterns, or layouts.
This garden has a square pond.
square bearing block (atop a pillar)
Only when written 斗形
Architectural term for a square wooden block placed on top of a pillar to support beams. Read とがた or ますがた.
castle square; bailey between gates
Only with reading ますがた
In Japanese castle architecture, a rectangular courtyard between the inner and outer gates where defending troops could assemble.
The square bearing block is a member placed on top of a pillar.
The castle square was a space designed to delay enemy intrusion.
斗形 is a more explicit architectural term for the same square bearing block that 斗 refers to atop a pillar.
Standard kanji spelling for the reading ますがた.
Variant kanji spelling for ますがた.
Contains outdated kanji 桝; rarely used.
Also read とがた for the architectural sense.
Reading とがた is specific to the architectural bearing block sense.
Compound of 升 (masu, 'measuring box') and 形 (kata/gata, 'shape'). The measuring box was traditionally square, giving rise to the meaning 'square shape'. The architectural uses derive from the square form of the block or courtyard.