桐(きり)

きり
noun
paulownia (tree and wood)
natureculture
1. paulownia (tree and wood)
The paulownia tree and its lightweight, fine-grained wood, prized for chests, boxes, and musical instruments.
桐(きり)のたんす。
a paulownia chest of drawers.
大事(だいじ)な書類(しょるい)を桐(きり)の箱(はこ)に保管(ほかん)する。
I keep important documents in a paulownia box.
桐(きり)は湿気(しっけ)に強(つよ)く軽(かる)いため、昔(むかし)から着物(きもの)をしまうたんすの材料(ざいりょう)として重宝(ちょうほう)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(きり)の箱(はこ): a paulownia box (often for valuables)
  • 桐(きり)材(ざい): paulownia wood (as a material)

Cultural note

The paulownia crest (桐紋(きりもん)) is the emblem of the Japanese government and the Prime Minister's office, making it a quasi-official national symbol.

general
Added 2026.5.21 13:04 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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