1.
small cupboard near the ceiling; overhead storage above a closet
A small storage compartment built high up on the wall, typically above a Japanese-style closet (押し入れ). Found in traditional Japanese rooms, it has small sliding doors and is used for storing seldom-used items.
天袋に季節外れの物をしまった。
I put out-of-season items in the overhead cupboard.
天袋は高すぎて踏み台がないと届かない。
The overhead cupboard is too high to reach without a step stool.
天袋を開けたら、昔のアルバムが出てきた。
When I opened the overhead cupboard, I found old photo albums inside.
CULTURE:
The 天袋 is a feature of traditional Japanese rooms (和室), located above the 押し入れ (closet) near the ceiling. The opposite is 地袋, a low cupboard built at floor level. Both are characteristic of Japanese domestic architecture.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 天袋にしまう (to put away in the overhead cupboard)
- 天袋から出す (to take out from the overhead cupboard)
- 天袋を開ける (to open the overhead cupboard)
WORD FORMATION:
天 (sky, ceiling, top) + 袋 (bag, pouch — here meaning enclosed storage).