noun

Obscure term.
  1. event where schoolchildren wash their inkstones, brushes and desks the night before Tanabata to pray for success in their studies.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
硯洗い すずりあらい

Contained Kanji Breakdown

inkstone
すずり ケン (Kentei Pre-1)
stone
いし セキ シャク (1st, N3)
left hand, cliff(厂) variant
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
see, hopes, chances
み.る ケン (1st, N5)
eye, class, look
め モク ボク (1st, N4)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン ニン がい (Kentei 1)
wash, inquire into, probe
あら.う セン あらい (6th, N3)
water, water radical (no. 85)
さんずい
before, ahead, previous
セン さき ま.ず (1st, N5)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン ニン がい (Kentei 1)