noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
by one's side; within arm's reach
Refers to a place close to where one sits or stays; often used in set phrases like 座右の銘 (a favorite motto kept nearby).
彼は座右に辞書を置いて勉強している。
He studies with a dictionary at his side.
honorific indirect reference to addressee
Used in formal letters to refer to the recipient indirectly, or written beside the addressee's name to show respect. Archaic in modern correspondence.
この言葉を座右の銘としている。
I keep these words as my personal motto.
In old letters, '座右' was written beside the addressee's name to show respect.
favourite motto; pet saying
favourite motto; pet saying
Standard kanji spelling; the reading ざう is archaic and rarely used.
From 座 (seat) + 右 (right), originally referring to the right-hand side of one's seat, a convenient place to keep important items. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.