Obsolete term for India, used historically in Buddhist contexts. Modern Japanese uses インド.
Long ago, Tenjiku was known as the holy land of Buddhism.
cotton sheeting (abbreviation)
Abbreviation of 天竺木綿 (てんじくもめん), a type of cotton sheeting. Rare standalone use.
See also: 天竺木綿
Tenjiku is sometimes used as an abbreviation for tenjiku-momen (cotton sheeting).
Prefix-like use meaning foreign or imported, often in historical or product names.
Tenjiku-sarasa (imported chintz) was popular in the Edo period.
ultra-spicy; extra hot
Prefix-like use for extremely spicy food, especially in modern ramen or curry contexts.
Tenjiku ramen is popular with those who love super spicy food.
guinea pig
gagaku of Indian origin
geranium (Pelargonium inquinans)
vertical-striped cardinalfish; Indian perch; coral fish
cotton sheeting; Indian cotton fabric
wandering lordless samurai
dahlia
Jersey stitch; stockinette stitch
montane guinea pig
Standard kanji form for all senses.
From Chinese 天竺 (Tiānzhú), an old name for India, possibly derived from a Central Asian language. The exact origin is uncertain.