noun
A figure placed in fields to scare away birds and animals. The most common and literal meaning.
田んぼにかかしを立てた。
We set up a scarecrow in the rice field.
かかしには古い服を着せることが多い。
Scarecrows are often dressed in old clothes.
noun
A person who holds a position but has no real power or is used as a front. Figurative extension of the scarecrow meaning.
彼は会社の社長だが、実際はただのかかしだ。
He's the company president, but in reality he's just a figurehead.
Kanji form, but rarely used in practice. The reading かかし is the most common for this kanji.
Katakana spelling, sometimes used for stylistic effect or in contexts like character names.
Rarely used kanji form. The reading かかし is the most common for this kanji.
This is an alternative reading of the same kanji, but it is rare and not commonly used. かかし is the standard reading.
The origin is uncertain. One theory suggests it comes from 嗅がし (kagashi), meaning 'something that smells', referring to the practice of burning fish or other smelly items to repel animals. The reading かかし is a sound shift from かがし.