松明
taimatsu[ta̠ima̠t͡sɨ]
The Japanese word for torch is 松明, pronounced taimatsu.
松明 refers to a torch, such as a stick of wood with one end soaked in a flammable substance and set on fire or a similar implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material.
Meaning: stick of wood, etc., with one end soaked in a flammable substance and set on fire, similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
taimatsu
Did you know?
- In Japan, 松明 are traditionally used in 'fire festivals' 火祭り to create winding paths of light that symbolize guiding spirits or purifying the land.
- The word 松明 contains the character for 'pine tree', because historically, torches were often made from pine wood due to its high resin content which makes it highly flammable.
- Japanese has a distinct word for a handheld torch 松明, whereas a 'flashlight' is called 懐中電灯, which literally means 'pocket-inside electric lamp'.
Examples in context
- 古い時代には松明が使われていた。Furui jidai ni wa taimatsu ga tsukawarete ita.In ancient times, torches were used.
- 松明の火がとても明るい。Taimatsu no hi ga totemo akarui.The light of the torch is very bright.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are visiting a historical castle at night.
- 蓮 Ren見て、あの松明がかっこいいよ。Mite, ano taimatsu ga kakkoii yo.Look, those torches are cool.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だね。すごく幻想的だわ。Hontou da ne. Sugoku gensouteki da wa.You're right. It's very mystical.
- 蓮 Ren昔の人は松明で夜を過ごしたんだね。Mukashi no hito wa taimatsu de yoru o sugoshita n da ne.People in the past spent their nights with torches, huh.
- 陽葵 Himari不便そうだけど、とても綺麗だと思う。Fuben sou dakedo, totemo kirei da to omou.It seems inconvenient, but I think it's very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “torch” translations and entries 松明, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
