noun
stairs; stairway
General term for stairs; はし is an obsolete reading that specifically refers to stairs leading from a building to a garden.
See also: 階段
古い寺のきざはしを上ると、庭が見えた。
When I climbed the stairs of the old temple, I could see the garden.
この建物のきざはしは石でできている。
The stairs of this building are made of stone.
noun
stairs at the front of a noh stage
Only with reading きざはし
Specific to Noh theater; refers to the staircase at the front of the stage. Restricted to the reading きざはし.
能舞台のきざはしは、演者が登場するときに使われる。
The stairs at the front of the noh stage are used when performers make their entrance.
Kana spelling; useful when the kanji is ambiguous or for learners.
Alternate kanji form; less common and may be confused with 段階 (だんかい).
The common modern word for stairs or staircase; きざはし is more literary or traditional.
The reading きざはし is of uncertain origin; the kanji 階 means 'storey' or 'stairs'. The alternate reading はし is obsolete.