also: ほおづき · ほうずき
noun
ground cherry; Chinese lantern plant
Refers to the plant Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii, known for its bright orange lantern-like calyx. Often associated with summer and Obon festivals.
庭にほおずきが赤く実っている。
The ground cherries are bearing red fruit in the garden.
お盆にはほおずきを飾る習慣がある。
There is a custom of displaying Chinese lantern plants during the Obon festival.
noun
children's noisemaking toy made from a ground cherry
A traditional toy made by removing the seeds from a ground cherry and blowing into it to produce a sound. Often played with by children.
子供の頃、ほおずきを鳴らして遊んだ。
When I was a child, I played by making sounds with a ground cherry toy.
Rare kanji spelling; ateji with 鬼 (demon) and 灯 (lamp).
Rare kanji spelling; mainly in literary or specialized contexts.
Rare kanji spelling; traditional form of 鬼灯.
Alternate reading with づ; less common.
Irregular kana usage; included for search coverage.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 酸漿 literally means 'sour drink', possibly referring to the fruit's taste. 鬼灯 (demon lamp) is ateji, likely inspired by the lantern-like appearance.