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This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

山車

Readings

Kana: やまぐるま、ヤマグルマ
Romaji: yamaguruma, yamaguruma
Kana
Romaji

Definition

noun
1

wheel tree (Trochodendron araloides)

Note: word usually written using kana alone

Kanji

山
Readings: サン、 セン、 やま
Meaning: mountain
車
Readings: シャ、 くるま
Meaning: car

Example Sentence

川越(かわごえ)の山車(だし)は、いわゆる鉾(ほこ)山車(だし)と呼(よ)ばれる形(かたち)で、車輪(しゃりん)が3つ、もしくは4つ付(つ)いています。
➥The Kawagoe festival float has the shape of what's called a hoko float. It has three, or four, wheels attached.
Full Entry➤

山車

花車

Readings

Kana: だし、さんしゃ
Romaji: dashi, sansha
Kana
Romaji

Definition

noun
1

festival car (float)

Note: word usually written using kana alone

Kanji

山
Readings: サン、 セン、 やま
Meaning: mountain
車
Readings: シャ、 くるま
Meaning: car
花
Readings: カ、 ケ、 はな
Meaning: flower

Example Sentence

川越(かわごえ)の山車(だし)は、いわゆる鉾(ほこ)山車(だし)と呼(よ)ばれる形(かたち)で、車輪(しゃりん)が3つ、もしくは4つ付(つ)いています。
➥The Kawagoe festival float has the shape of what's called a hoko float. It has three, or four, wheels attached.
Full Entry➤

檀尻

楽車、 山車

Readings

Kana: だんじり、だんぢり
Romaji: danjiri, danjiri
Kana
Romaji

Definition

noun
1

decorative portable shrine; float used in festivals

(Kansai-ben)
Note: not often used in Kyoto
Note: word usually written using kana alone
See also: 山車 (reading だし)

Kanji

檀
Readings: ダン、 タン、 まゆみ
Meanings: cedar, sandlewood, spindle tree
尻
Readings: コウ、 しり
Meanings: buttocks, hips, butt, rear
楽
Readings: ガク、 ラク、 ゴウ、 たの.しい、 たの.しむ、 この.む
Meanings: music, comfort, ease
車
Readings: シャ、 くるま
Meaning: car
山
Readings: サン、 セン、 やま
Meaning: mountain