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This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

竿

棹

Reading

Kana: さお
Romaji: sao
Kana
Romaji

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