Japanese

ほくそうのさんゆう
Meaning: the three companions by the north window (referring to poetry, wine, and the qin instrument)
Part of Speech: Noun, Four-character idiom

Listen to pronunciation

Handwriting

北
窓
三
友

Example

The literati cherishes the three companions by the north window.

Usage Notes

A classical literary reference describing the ideal aesthetic life of a scholar or literati. The north window was considered the best place for scholarly pursuits in traditional East Asian architecture.

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