臼
KanjiJLPT N1
Mortar
Mnemonic
Wide vessel with a hollow center — a grinding mortar.
Details
The keyword for 臼 is mortar. This kanji represents a mortar, specifically the traditional bowl-shaped vessel used for grinding or pounding grain, herbs, or other materials. In East Asian cultures, stone or wooden mortars of this type were essential household tools, particularly for pounding rice into mochi. The character's shape visually resembles the concave form of a mortar when viewed from above.
- On'yomi
- きゅう、ぐ
- Kun'yomi
- うす、うすづ.く