also: まがみ
noun
Archaic term for 'wolf', replaced by 狼 (おおかみ) in modern Japanese. Found in old texts and poetry.
See also: オオカミ
古い和歌では「真神」を「まかみ」と読んで狼を指すことがある。
In old waka poetry, 真神 is sometimes read as まかみ and refers to a wolf.
The modern standard word for 'wolf', completely replacing 真神 in contemporary usage.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 真神 (literally 'true god') may reflect an ancient reverent or euphemistic name for the wolf.