thin inner ribs of a folding fan
Refers to the slender inner sticks of a folding fan (扇子), as opposed to the outer thicker guard sticks (親骨). Used in contexts of fan making, repair, or description.
See also: 親骨 (おやぼね)
One of the thin inner ribs of the folding fan broke.
This folding fan has many inner ribs, so it looks very beautiful when opened.
Standard kanji spelling for the thin inner ribs of a folding fan.
Kana spelling is acceptable, especially in explanatory contexts.
Compound of 子 (こ, 'child; small') and 骨 (ほね, 'bone; rib'), literally 'child ribs', referring to the smaller inner ribs of a folding fan.