1.
paulownia (tree and wood)
The paulownia tree and its lightweight, fine-grained wood, prized for chests, boxes, and musical instruments.
桐のたんす。
a paulownia chest of drawers.
大事な書類を桐の箱に保管する。
I keep important documents in a paulownia box.
桐は湿気に強く軽いため、昔から着物をしまうたんすの材料として重宝されてきた。
Because paulownia is light and resistant to moisture, it has long been valued as a material for chests that store kimono.
A fast-growing tree whose light, warp-resistant wood is prized for chests (たんす), boxes, and the soundboards of the koto.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 桐の箱: a paulownia box (often for valuables)
- 桐材: paulownia wood (as a material)
CULTURAL NOTE:
The paulownia crest (桐紋) is the emblem of the Japanese government and the Prime Minister's office, making it a quasi-official national symbol.