楊枝

楊子、 揚枝

Reading

Kana: ようじ

Romaji: youji

Definition

noun

1

toothpick; skewer for eating moist wagashi (steel, bamboo, etc.)

See also: 和菓子 (reading わがし)

Kanji

楊

Readings: ヨウ、 かわ、 やなぎ

Meaning: willow

枝

Readings: シ、 えだ

Meanings: bough, branch, twig, limb, counter for branches

子

Readings: シ、 ス、 ツ、 こ、 -こ、 ね

Meanings: child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM, first sign of Chinese zodiac

揚

Readings: ヨウ、 あ.げる、 -あ.げ、 あ.がる

Meanings: raise, elevate, hoist, praise, extol, fry in deep fat

Example Sentence

武士(ぶし)は食(く)わねど高楊枝(たかようじ)。

➥A samurai, even when he has not eaten, uses a toothpick like a lord.