counter
counter for bundles
Used to count bundles of long, thin objects such as firewood, sticks, or noodles. The reading changes to ば or ぱ depending on the preceding number (e.g., いちわ, さんば, ろっぱ).
薪を三把買った。
I bought three bundles of firewood.
そばを一把ゆでてください。
Please boil one bundle of soba noodles.
Kana spelling is sometimes used in informal or learner contexts.
束 is a more general counter for bundles or bunches, while 把 is specifically for long, thin objects tied together.
The kanji 把 originally means 'to grasp' or 'bundle', and its use as a counter derives from the idea of a handful or bundle of items.