いぼたろう

い

ぼ

た

ろ

う

Meanings

1

usually written using kana alone

A wax secreted by insects on certain trees, used in polishes, candles, and traditional crafts. Often called 'ibota wax' in English contexts.

出だ

し

に

使つか

わ

れる

こと

が

ある

。

Ibota wax is sometimes used for polishing furniture.

このろうそくは、いぼたろうを原げん料りょうにしている。

This candle is made from ibota wax.

white

蜜みつ蝋ろう
Beeswax, produced by honeybees, while ibota wax comes from scale insects on trees.
木もく蝋ろう
Japan wax, derived from the fruit of the sumac tree, used in similar applications but from a different source.

イボタロウ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling, sometimes used in technical or commercial contexts.
水蝋蝋いぼたろう
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
水蝋樹蝋いぼたろう
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
虫白蝋いぼたろう
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.

From いぼた (ibota, the name of the insect or tree) + ろう (wax). The exact origin of 'ibota' is uncertain.