also: かしき · かつじき
noun
meal announcer (Zen monastery); announcing meals (Zen monastery)
Buddhist term: the role of a young attendant who announces mealtimes in a Zen monastery, or the act of doing so.
禅寺では、喝食が食事の開始を告げる。
At a Zen temple, the meal announcer proclaims the start of the meal.
noun
Noh mask of a young meal announcer
Noh mask depicting a young boy who serves as a meal announcer in a Zen monastery; used in certain Noh plays.
能面の喝食は、少年の面影を残している。
The Noh mask of the meal announcer retains the features of a young boy.
From Buddhist terminology; the kanji 喝 (to shout) and 食 (meal) refer to the act of announcing meals.