1.
dried persimmon
Persimmons that have been peeled and air-dried until they shrivel and develop a sweet, chewy texture coated with a natural white frost of sugars. A traditional Japanese preserved food and seasonal winter treat.
干し柿を食べた。
I ate a dried persimmon.
祖母は毎年干し柿を作る。
My grandmother makes dried persimmons every year.
軒先に柿が吊されて、干し柿になるのを待っている。
Persimmons hang under the eaves, waiting to become dried persimmons.
Compound of 干す (to dry) + 柿 (persimmon), with the kaki reading shifting to gaki through rendaku.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 干し柿を作る: to make dried persimmons
- 干し柿を吊す: to hang persimmons to dry
- 甘い干し柿: sweet dried persimmon
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
A classic autumn-to-winter food. Peeled astringent persimmons are hung from strings under eaves; over weeks they lose moisture, the tannins break down, and natural sugars crystallize on the surface as a white bloom. Often given as gifts and used in osechi New Year cuisine.