Don't confuse with 柏 (kashiwa, daimyo oak) and 樫 (kashi, oak/evergreen oak) are both translated as "oak" in English but refer to different, unrelated tree species in Japanese.
Counted with Counts planted trees and shrubs at the root — literary; everyday speech usually uses 本 or 株 .
For rooted plants and clumps — garden plants, shrubs, seedlings.
Word family· 8 rice cake wrapped in an oak leaf · sleeping curled up in a futon
oak tree · imperial palace guard (archaic)
ritual hand clapping at a shrine
leaves used for serving sake, rice, etc.
Asplenium antiquum (a species of spleenwort) · Dendropanax trifidus (a flowering plant) · leaves used for serving sake or rice
Show 3 more Show fewer Written forms 柏かしわ Usage 80%
Standard kanji spelling for the daimyo oak tree.
かしわ Usage 14%
カシワ Usage 6%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling often used in botanical or culinary contexts.
檞かしわ Usage 1%
out-dated kanji form
Outdated kanji form; not in modern use.
槲かしわ Usage <1%
Alternate kanji form, rarely used.
Etymology The Japanese word かしわ originally referred to the oak tree and its leaves used for serving food. The kanji 柏 is a Chinese character for an oak-like tree, adopted for this native Japanese word.
Report an issue with this page
Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
