Kanji

Jōyō kanji, Taught in junior high

JLPT level: N1

1670 of 2500 most used kanji in newspapers

Stroke count: 11

Meaning: enclosure, quarters, fortification, red-light district

Kunyomi: くるわ

Onyomi: カク

Composition:

Radical

Radical:

Meaning: town (阝 right)

Examples

Onyomi Examples

クルワ district, quarter, enclosure, area enclosed by earthwork, red-light district, wide and empty

廓清 カクセイ purification, cleaning up, purging

ガイカク outer wall (e.g. castle), outer block (enclosure), outline, contour

ユウカク (licensed) red light district

Kunyomi Examples

くるわ district, quarter, enclosure, area enclosed by earthwork, red-light district, wide and empty

言葉 くるわことば sociolect or secret language used by prostitutes in red-light districts (Edo period), vulgar words used by prostitutes (Edo period)