bamboo grass; small bamboo
Refers to small, running bamboo species (genus Sasa and similar) that do not shed their leaf sheaths; common in Japanese gardens, forests, and as a motif.
庭の隅に笹が生い茂っている。
Bamboo grass is growing thickly in the corner of the garden.
Chimaki rice dumplings are made by wrapping them in bamboo-grass leaves.
七夕には笹の葉に願い事を書いた短冊を飾る。
For Tanabata, we decorate bamboo grass leaves with strips of paper on which we write wishes.
For Tanabata, people write wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo grass.
竹 is the general word for bamboo, including tall timber species, while 笹 refers specifically to small, low-growing bamboo grass.
For long, thin objects (sticks, stems, wires, bottles); also 'pieces' like films, articles, and phone calls.
Literary counter for standing trees and plants; everyday speech uses 本 or 株 (かぶ).
field of bamboo grass
dwarf bamboo (western Japan varieties)
kuma bamboo grass; Veitch's bamboo
lucky bamboo branch
small bamboo; bamboo grass
toy bamboo-leaf boat
bamboo grass thicket
bamboo grass; bamboo
Maianthemum japonicum; Japanese false Solomon's seal
Standard kanji spelling; high frequency in news and general use.
Katakana spelling used in botanical or field-guide contexts, or for emphasis.
Rarely used kanji form.
Rarely used kanji form.
The native word ささ is of uncertain origin. 笹 is a Japanese-created character used to write it.
cutting into thin shavings; shavings
striated heron; green-backed heron