fiery chariot
Buddhist term for a chariot engulfed in flames, often carrying sinners to hell or used in hell-related imagery.
地獄絵には、罪人を乗せた火車が描かれている。
In hell paintings, a fiery chariot carrying sinners is depicted.
kasha (mythical beast)
A mythical creature in Japanese folklore, often depicted as a flaming cart or beast that steals corpses or the souls of the wicked.
昔話では、悪いことをした人の葬式に火車が現れるという。
In old tales, a kasha is said to appear at the funeral of a person who did evil deeds.
Historical term used in China for steam trains; not used for modern Japanese trains.
中国ではかつて蒸気機関車を火車と呼んだ。
In China, steam locomotives were once called 火車.
vile old hag
Archaic abbreviation of 火車婆; a derogatory term for a wicked old woman.
See also: 火車婆
Abbreviating 火車婆, a mean old woman was sometimes called 火車.
evil old hag
From Chinese 火車 (huǒchē), originally meaning 'fire cart' or 'fiery chariot'. The Buddhist and folkloric senses derive from Chinese Buddhist hell imagery. The 'steam locomotive' sense is a modern Chinese usage. The 'vile old hag' sense is a Japanese-specific abbreviation of 火車婆.