noun
poetic word used in tanka; tanka diction
Refers to vocabulary and expressions traditionally used in tanka poetry, often distinct from everyday language. Compare 歌語 (かご), which is a near-synonym.
See also: 歌語
「あしひきの」は、山にかかる枕詞としてよく使われる歌ことばだ。
"Ashibiki no" is a poetic word often used as a pillow word for mountains.
この歌集には、当時の歌
This poetry anthology contains many poetic words from that era.
歌語 is a near-synonym also meaning 'poetic diction' or 'words used in waka/tanka'. 歌ことば may be slightly more colloquial or explanatory in tone, but they are largely interchangeable.
Compound of 歌 (うた, 'song, poem') and 言葉 (ことば, 'word, language'). The reading うたことば is a straightforward kun'yomi combination.