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桜肉. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
桜肉, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
桜肉 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
桜肉 you have here. The definition of the word
桜肉 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
桜肉, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
| Alternative spellings
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櫻肉 (kyūjitai)
さくら肉
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Etymology
Several theories exist:
- A codeword used in the Edo period, during parts of which meat was banned or considered taboo. 桜 (sakura, “cherry”) was used on its own to substitute the entire name 馬肉 (baniku), possibly later developing into the current form with 肉 (niku) attached. Pork was also referred to as 牡丹 (botan, “peony”) and deer as 紅葉 (momiji, “red leaves”), which appears to accord with this origin.
- Horse meat purportedly tastes better around the same time that cherry trees blossom (spring); after winter, for which the horse accumulates fat reserves to keep warm, the horse will remain fattened and as a result taste considerably better, becoming associated with the cherry blossoms of the same season.
- Horse meat resembles cherry blossoms in color.
- Conflation with 佐倉 (Sakura), a city close to Edo known for its horse ranches.
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation
Noun
桜肉 • (sakuraniku)
- horsemeat