(かちょう)

かちょう
noun
flowers and birds
1. flowers and birds; natural beauty
A classical compound referring to flowers and birds as representative of the beauty of nature. A major theme in traditional East Asian art and poetry.
花鳥(かちょう)(えが)いた()(じく)
A hanging scroll depicting flowers and birds.
花鳥風月(かちょうふうげつ)(あい)でるのが日本(にほん)伝統(でんとう)だ。
Appreciating the beauties of nature is a Japanese tradition.
この画家(がか)花鳥画(かちょうが)()られ、繊細(せんさい)筆使(ふでづか)いで(おお)くの傑作(けっさく)(のこ)した。
This painter was known for flower-and-bird paintings and left many masterpieces with delicate brushwork.

A classical literary compound representing the beauty of nature through its two most celebrated elements — flowers and birds.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 花鳥風月(かちょうふうげつ) (the beauties of nature — flowers, birds, wind, and moon)
  • 花鳥画(かちょうが) (flower-and-bird painting)
  • 花鳥(かちょう)()でる (appreciate flowers and birds)

花鳥風月(かちょうふうげつ) is a well-known four-character compound (yojijukugo) meaning the beauties of nature or the elegant appreciation of natural scenery. It is used to describe a refined aesthetic sensibility. 花鳥画(かちょうが) is a major genre in East Asian painting.

Note the homophone 課長(かちょう) (section chief), which is completely different.