square bearing block (at the top of a pillar)
Architectural term for the block-shaped bearing piece placed atop a pillar in traditional Japanese wooden construction. Also called 斗形 (とがた).
See also: 升形
Chinese "Dipper" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
In Chinese astronomy, one of the 28 lunar mansions, part of the Black Tortoise (玄武) group. Rare outside historical or astrological contexts.
This measuring box is a one-to masu.
Place a bearing block on top of the pillar.
The Dipper mansion is the first mansion of the Black Tortoise.
This brewery produces a thousand 斗 of sake a year.
The craftsman is assembling the bearing blocks under the roof.
斗形 is a more explicit architectural term for the same square bearing block that 斗 refers to atop a pillar.
斗 and 石 are both old Japanese volume units in the same measuring system, but 斗 (と) is only one-tenth the size of 石 (こく).
the Big Dipper; the Plough
great authority; eminent person; luminary
1 to (unit of volume, approx. 18 litres)
shooto; shoot boxing
Chinese 'Dipper' constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
the whole world; south of the Big Dipper
18-litre measuring container; to-masu
kegs of sake; a lot of sake
stars
Standard kanji form for all senses.
The kanji 斗 originally depicted a ladle or dipper, and was adopted as a unit of volume in ancient China. The architectural sense derives from the block's resemblance to the shape of the measuring container. The constellation name comes from Chinese astronomy.
cupule; acorn cup
18-litre can; 18-liter drum
18-litre measuring container