ウグイスカグラ

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ぐ

い

す

か

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Meanings

1

noun

Lonicera gracilipes; a species of honeysuckle

usually written using kana alone

A specific species of honeysuckle native to Japan. The name literally means 'bush warbler kagura' (sacred Shinto dance), possibly from the shape of the flowers or the time of blooming.

春はるになると、ウグイスカグラの小ちいさな赤あかい実みがなる。

In spring, the small red berries of the Lonicera gracilipes appear.

ウグイスカグラは日本にほん固こ有ゆうのスイカズラの一いっ種しゅです。

Lonicera gracilipes is a species of honeysuckle endemic to Japan.

Kanji

鶯nightingale
神gods, mind, soul
楽music, comfort, ease

Related words

スイカズラ
スイカズラ is the general term for honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), while ウグイスカグラ refers specifically to Lonicera gracilipes.
ウグイス
ウグイス is the Japanese bush warbler, whose name appears in the plant name ウグイスカグラ, but the plant itself is not directly related to the bird.

Word family

クロミノウグイスカグラ
blue honeysuckle; haskap; Lonicera caerulea var. emphyllocalyx

Written forms

ウグイスカグラUsage64%
kana-only spelling
Standard katakana spelling for this plant name.
鶯うぐいす神楽かぐらUsage36%
Kanji spelling is rare; the plant name is usually written in kana.

Etymology

The name ウグイスカグラ combines ウグイス (Japanese bush warbler) and 神楽 (kagura, a sacred Shinto dance). The exact reason for the name is uncertain, but it may refer to the flower shape or the season when the bush warbler sings.