Japanese symbol for “pillow”
枕
まくら
Romaji: makura
pillow; bolster
In Japanese, pillow is 枕, read まくら (makura).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n, n-suf pillow; bolster
- n, n-suf introduction (e.g. to a rakugo story); lead-in
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “pillow”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ピロー | ピロー piroo | pillow |
| 褥 | しとね shitone | cushion; pillow; mattress |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 枕詞 | まくらことば makurakotoba | pillow word; decorative word used prefixally in classical Japanese literature |
| 枕元 | まくらもと makuramoto | bedside; near one's pillow |
| 枕草子 | まくらのそうし makuranosoushi | The Pillow Book (Heian-period collection of writings by Sei Shōnagon) |
| 膝枕 | ひざまくら hizamakura | laying one's head in someone's lap; using someone's lap for a pillow |
| 枕木 | まくらぎ makuragi | (railway) sleeper; (railroad) tie; crosstie |
| 夢枕 | ゆめまくら yumemakura | at the bedside where one dreams |
See also: Chinese symbol for “pillow”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
Last posts
- Selecting a Bokken for Outdoor Training
- Are Unvarnished Bokken Better for Grip Than Lacquered Ones
- Best Wooden Butterfly Knives for Wing Chun Form Practice
- Choosing a Bokken Set for Training Quality and Durability
- Best Lightweight Bokken for Older Students and Senior Aikido
- Choosing a Bokken for Koryu Practice by School Requirements
- Choosing a Bokken Tsuba and Stopper Set for Training
- Cotton vs Polyester Hakama Which Is Easier to Maintain
- Choosing Your First Bokken for Serious Samurai Training
- Are Engraved Bokken Good Gifts and Can You Train With Them