Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

手杖 (しゅじょう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

手しゅ杖じょう

also: ちゅうじょう

しゅ

じょ

う

Meanings

1

noun

staff; walking stick

Especially a staff used by a monk during a pilgrimage or as a support while walking. The reading しゅじょう is standard; ちゅうじょう is rare.

巡じゅん礼れいの僧そうは手しゅ杖じょうを手てに山やま道みちを歩あるいた。
The pilgrim monk walked the mountain path with a staff in hand.

Written forms

手杖
- しゅじょう
  Standard kanji form; reading しゅじょう is more common than ちゅうじょう.
- ちゅうじょう
  Alternate reading; less common and may be considered non-standard or archaic.
ちゅうじょう

Kanji

手hand
杖staff, cane

Similar words

杖つえ
Common word for a cane or walking stick; 手杖 is more specific to a monk's staff or a formal walking stick.
ステッキ
Western-style walking stick, often used for fashion or support; 手杖 is more traditional and often associated with religious use.

Etymology

Compound of 手 (hand) and 杖 (staff/cane). The reading しゅじょう uses the on'yomi of both characters; ちゅうじょう is a variant reading of uncertain origin, possibly influenced by historical or dialectal factors.