noun
A yojijukugo literally meaning 'hand shackles, foot shackles'; used for physical restraints that bind both hands and feet, and figuratively for anything that severely restricts freedom.
囚人は手枷足枷をはめられて護送された。
The prisoner was transported in manacles and fetters.
古い慣習が手枷足枷になって改革が進まない。
Old customs have become shackles, preventing reform from moving forward.
Fetters or shackles for the feet only; 手枷足枷 includes both hand and foot restraints.
Compound of 手枷 (hand shackles) and 足枷 (foot shackles). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with physical restraints.