also: ひがしかた · ひがしがた
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
eastern direction; east
Refers to the cardinal direction east. Often used in formal or literary contexts, or in compound terms like 東方見聞録.
太陽は東方から昇る。
The sun rises in the east.
東方の空が明るくなってきた。
The eastern sky has started to brighten.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to East Asia or the Eastern world, often in historical or cultural contexts. Can carry a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone.
東方の文化に興味がある。
I am interested in Eastern culture.
シルクロードは東方と西方を結んでいた。
The Silk Road connected the East and the West.
noun
eastern fighter (sumo, martial arts)
Only with reading ひがしかた / ひがしがた
Used in sumo and other martial arts to refer to the competitor on the east side of the ring. Restricted to the readings ひがしかた and ひがしがた.
東方の力士が土俵に上がった。
The eastern wrestler stepped onto the ring.