Archaic adjectival noun meaning gentle or lenient. In modern Japanese, this form is obsolete; the polite expression お手柔らかに (おてやわらかに) is used instead, often as a set phrase meaning 'please be gentle' or 'go easy on me'.
See also: お手柔らかに
古い文書では「手柔らかに」と記されることがあるが、現代では「お手柔らかに」が一般的。
In old documents, 手柔らかに is sometimes written, but in modern times お手柔らかに is common.
gently; mildly; leniently · go easy on me/us/them; don't be too hard on me
The exact derivation is uncertain; the spelling 手柔らか combines 手 (hand) and 柔らか (soft, gentle), suggesting a gentle hand or mild manner.