千ち歳とせ鳥どり

noun

crane (bird)

Archaic term for a crane, now replaced by 鶴 (つる). The name 千歳鳥 (thousand-year bird) reflects the crane's traditional association with longevity.

See also: 鶴

• 古ふるい和わ歌かでは、千ち歳とせ鳥どりは長ちょう寿じゅの象しょう徴ちょうとして詠よまれることがある。

  In old waka poetry, the crane is sometimes celebrated as a symbol of longevity.