Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Children act as a bond that keeps their parents together. This proverb is about family ties.
日本語で読む
子どもへの愛情が夫婦の仲をつなぎとめるという意味。家族の絆を表します。
Cultural Context:
A kasugai is a U-shaped iron clamp that joins two pieces of timber. There is also a rakugo story known as 子は鎹 (子別れ), in which a son reunites his parents.
日本語で読む
「鎹」は二本の材木をつなぐコの字形の金具です。息子が両親を再び結ぶ落語「子は鎹」（「子別れ」）もあります。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
A simple "A は B" sentence: "children are clamps."
日本語で読む
「AはB」の形で、「子どもは鎹だ」という意味です。
Trap for English Speakers
鎹 is a rare kanji even for many Japanese people; it is read かすがい.
日本語で読む
「鎹」は日本人にも難しい漢字で、「かすがい」と読みます。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
けんかばかりの両親も、私の誕生日には仲良くお祝いしてくれる。子は鎹だね。
My parents argue all the time, but on my birthday they celebrate together happily. Children hold a couple together.
Example 2Applied Example
離れて暮らしていた浪人とその妻は、息子が熱を出した夜に再び手を取り合った。子は鎹である。
The masterless samurai and his wife, who had been living apart, came together again on the night their son fell ill with a fever. A child is a clamp.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「子は鎹」 mean?