noun
pillow word; decorative prefix in classical Japanese poetry
A rhetorical device in classical Japanese poetry, especially waka, where a set epithet or phrase is placed before a word to modify it or add imagery, often with a fixed association.
「あしひきの」は「山」にかかる枕詞だ。
"Ashibiki no" is a pillow word that modifies "yama" (mountain).
万葉
Many pillow words are used in the Man'yōshū.
noun
Used metaphorically for an introductory remark or preface, often in speeches or writing, likened to a pillow word that sets the stage.
彼はスピーチの枕詞として最近のニュースに触れた。
He touched on recent news as a preface to his speech.
本論に入る前に、ちょっとした枕詞を述べたい。
Before getting into the main topic, I'd like to say a few introductory words.