To follow up from my earlier posting on the original meanings of characters used in the word 'sukiya', I have come across some new information that I'd like to share. Please, someone let me know if this is of no interest whatsoever and I'll shut up!
So, in the initial posting I made i was discussing the etymology of the characters used in one way of writing 'sukiya', namely: 数寄屋
In looking again at the first character in that set, æ•°, I used an explanation from a kanji etymology dictionary that said the character is composed of "(æâ€Âµ)'stick in hand' (the element seen on the right side of the kanji), along with the element on the left side of the kanji, which is an uncommon non-general use element meaning 'shaman-ess" ("woman shaman"); namely because it comprises an obscure element meaning to link items, and the element for woman '女'. In this character the linked items component lends its sound to express 'chant'.The literal and original meaning of the character 數, is: "woman chanting while holding counting sticks", which in modern times has come to mean primarily count, or '
kazu', and the element has taken a simplified form with the 'link items' element replaced with rice ç±³"
Okay, well now I have come across another kanji etymology source, and it gives a very different account, and I'd like to share that with you all, so please walk with me...
The character æ•° has an older form 數. Focusing on the left hand side of these characters, 'å©Â' (in the case of the original version), you can see that the two are pretty much identical save for the bit at the upper portion. In the modern from there is the substitution of the element ç±³ (rice), for the other components, which I previously described as "an obscure element meaning to link items". Well, my other
kanji etymology source gives a different explanation for that piece of the
kanji. It states that 'å©Â' comprises the following elements: 毠(mother, which alludes to "succession of offspring"), 丠(middle), and 女 (woman). Taken altogether, these elements give "female slaves tied to and pulled along by a central restraint". When used in combination with other elements then, 'å©Â' lends a meaning of "tie", "connect", "drag", "pull along", and "continuum"
So, 'å©Â' is combined with 'æâ€Âµ' ('stick in hand', which means: "strike", "coerce", "cause to do". This is a common element that is an 'action indicator' when used within more complicated characters) to give '數'. The meaning is "enumerate bound female slaves" which has come in modern times to mean simply "count", "enumerate"
Whew!
The element 'å©Â' shows up in a variety of other
kanji, some of which are common and some of which are not so common. Here's a few examples showing the use of this element in other
kanji:
'樓' (now written as 楼): 'å©Â' (continuum) + 木 (tree, wood)= wooden structure with a number of stories => "tower", "lookout"
A "
shoro" é˜楼 is a Belltower, commonly found on temple grounds.
é¤: 'å©Â' (continuum) + '金' (metal)=repetitive pattern carved into a lump of metal => "carve", "stud with jewels", "inlay", etc.
"é¤ã‚Âã‚‹" (
chiriba-meru) means: "inlay", "set", "mount"
There are many more, but I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.
