also: こう
Archaic noun for 'fish', formerly used by women. In modern Japanese, 魚 (さかな) is the standard word.
In old language, women sometimes called fish 'kon'.
counter for fish
Archaic suffix and counter for fish. Not used in modern Japanese; the standard counter for fish is 匹 (ひき) or 尾 (び).
In old documents, expressions like 'three fish' using 喉 can be found.
Standard modern counter for small animals, including fish, replacing the archaic counter 喉 (こう).
Formal counter for fish, used in culinary or commercial contexts, as an alternative to 匹.
Archaic kanji spelling for 'fish'; the reading こん is rare and historical. Modern Japanese uses 魚 (さかな) for 'fish'.
Archaic kanji spelling for the counter for fish; the reading こう is rare and historical.
Kana spelling for the archaic noun 'fish' (reading こん).
Kana spelling for the archaic counter for fish (reading こう).
The kanji 喉 normally means 'throat', but here it is used as an ateji for the archaic word for 'fish'. The readings こん and こう are historical and no longer productive.