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

たき木、焚き木
まき、たきぎ
firewood; kindling; fuel; piece(s) of firewood
Word

臥薪嘗胆

がしんしょうたん
going through thick and thin to attain one's objective; enduring unspeakable hardships for the sake of vengeance
Word

薪割り

薪割
まきわり
hatchet; axe; wood-chopping; wood-splitting
Word

薪拾い

たきぎひろい
firewood gathering
Word

薪水

しんすい
fuel and water; firewood and water; gathering firewood and drawing water; kitchen work; housework
Word

薪炭

しんたん
wood and charcoal; fuel
Word

薪を抱いて火を救う

exp
たきぎをいだいてひをすくう
having one's good intentions backfire dangerously; causing harm when trying to prevent it; trying to put out a fire while carrying kindling
Word

薪小屋

まきごや、たきぎごや
woodshed
Word

薪水の労

しんすいのろう
menial services (e.g. kitchen work); serving one's master unsparingly
Word

薪水給与令

しんすいきゅうよれい
Order for the Provision of Firewood and Water (1842)