竿

棹

Reading

Kana: さお

Romaji: sao

Definitions

noun

1

rod; pole

2

neck (of a shamisen, etc.); shamisen

Note: esp. 棹

3

beam (i.e. the crossbar of a balance)

4

single line (esp. as a flying formation for geese)

5

penis

Note: slang

ctr

6

counter for flags (on poles); counter for long, thin Japanese sweets (e.g. youkan)

Kanji

竿

Readings: カン、 さお

Meanings: pole, rod, scale beam, violin neck

棹

Readings: トウ、 タク、 さお、 こ.ぐ

Meaning: pole a boat