1.
rope, thick cord
A strong thick line made of twisted fibers or strands.
船を綱でつないだ。
I tied the boat with a rope.
綱引きで勝った。
We won at tug-of-war.
命の綱だと思って離さなかった。
I held on tight, believing it was my lifeline.
綱渡りのような危ない交渉だった。
It was a risky negotiation, like walking a tightrope.
大きな荷物を綱でしっかり縛って、トラックに積み込んだ。
We tied the large luggage tightly with rope and loaded it onto the truck.
2.
sumo rope belt
The sacred rope worn by yokozuna (grand champion) in sumo wrestling.
横綱が綱を締めている。
The yokozuna is wearing the rope belt.
新横綱の綱は特別に作られる。
The rope belt for a new yokozuna is specially made.
綱を締めた横綱が土俵入りをする姿は迫力がある。
The sight of a yokozuna wearing the rope belt and entering the ring is impressive.
相撲博物館には歴代の横綱の綱が展示されている。
The sumo museum displays the rope belts of past yokozuna champions.
横綱の綱には紙垂がついていて、神聖なものとされている。
The yokozuna's rope belt has paper streamers attached to it and is considered sacred.
綱 refers to thick rope or cord, typically stronger and thicker than 紐 (string) or 縄 (thinner rope). It also has a specialized meaning in sumo as the sacred rope belt of a 横綱.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 綱引き: tug-of-war (school and festival event)
- 命の綱: lifeline (literal or figurative)
- 綱渡り: tightrope walking; figuratively, a risky balancing act
- 横綱: sumo grand champion (literally "side rope")
SUMO USAGE:
In sumo, 綱 refers to the sacred rope (注連縄-style) worn by the 横綱 during the ring-entering ceremony (土俵入り). It has 紙垂 (paper streamers) attached.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 紐: string, thin cord (thinner than 綱)
- 縄: rope (general, thinner, used for tying)
- ロープ: rope (loanword, often for climbing or utility)
COUNTER: 本