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

Word

郭、曲輪
くるわ、かく
district; quarter; enclosure; area enclosed by earthwork; red-light district; wide and empty
Word

遊郭

遊廓
ゆうかく
red light district
Word

一郭

一廓
いっかく
one block; enclosure
Word

外郭

外廓
がいかく
outer wall (e.g. castle); outer block (enclosure); outline; contour
Word

廓清

郭清
かくせい
purification; cleaning up; purging
Word

城郭

城廓
じょうかく
fortress; castle; citadel; enclosure; castle walls
Word

輪郭

輪廓、輪かく
りんかく
contour; outline; border; silhouette; summary; outline; sketch; looks; features; appearance
Word

郭言葉

廓言葉、郭詞、廓詞
くるわことば
sociolect or secret language used by prostitutes in red-light districts (Edo period); vulgar words used by prostitutes (Edo period)