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牙纛 (がとう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

牙が纛とう

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Meanings

1

noun

flagstaff decorated with ivory carried by the emperor or a general

Historical term for a ceremonial flagstaff adorned with ivory, used in ancient China and Japan by the emperor or high-ranking military commanders.

牙が纛とうは古こ代だい中ちゅう国ごくで天てん子しや将しょう軍ぐんが用もちいた象ぞう牙げ飾かざりの旗はた竿ざおである。
The 牙纛 is an ivory-decorated flagstaff used by the emperor or generals in ancient China.

Kanji

牙tusk, fang, tusk radical (no. 92)
纛flag, banner

Etymology

From Chinese 牙纛 (yádào), combining 牙 'ivory' and 纛 'large banner or flagstaff'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is a direct borrowing of a classical Chinese ceremonial object.