expression, noun
hollow at the nape of the neck
Refers to the slight depression at the back of the neck, often considered an attractive feature. The word is a set phrase, literally 'hollow of the tray'.
彼女は髪をアップにして、ぼんのくぼを見せていた。
She put her hair up, showing the hollow at the nape of her neck.
expression, noun
toddler's shaved hairstyle with a tuft at the nape (Edo period)
Archaic term for a historical children's hairstyle where most of the head was shaved, leaving a small patch of hair at the nape. Not used in modern Japanese.
江戸時代の浮世絵には、ぼんのくぼにした幼児が描かれている。
Ukiyo-e prints from the Edo period depict toddlers with the shaved hairstyle leaving a tuft at the nape.
Compound of 盆 (bon, 'tray') + の (no, possessive particle) + 窪 (kubo, 'hollow, depression'). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely refers to the shape of the hollow resembling a tray.