noun
A somewhat literary or elevated word for the eye; everyday Japanese normally uses 目. Also appears naturally in expressions such as 寝ぼけまなこ.
赤ん坊は大きなまなこで母親を見つめた。
The baby gazed at its mother with big eyes.
彼は寝ぼけまなこで台所に入ってきた。
He came into the kitchen with sleepy eyes.
noun
pupil and dark iris
Archaic use referring specifically to the dark central part of the eye, rather than the eye as a whole.
古い文では、「まなこ」が黒目の部分を指すことがある。
In old texts, manako can refer to the dark part of the eye.
noun
insight; perceptivity; power of observation
Archaic figurative use for the ability to see through things or perceive their nature.
古語では、「まなこ」が物事を見抜く力を表すこともある。
In classical usage, manako can also mean the ability to see through things.
noun
Archaic extension from the physical eye to one's gaze or the range of what one can see.
古い文献では、「まなこ」が視線や視界を意味する場合がある。
In old writings, manako may mean one's gaze or field of vision.
noun
Archaic figurative use for the central or essential part of something.
古語の注釈では、「まなこ」を物事の中心や本質と説明することがある。
In notes on classical language, manako is sometimes explained as the center or essence of something.
Often means the pupil, or poetically the eyes; it is narrower and more romantic in tone than 目, and overlaps partly with the archaic pupil sense of まなこ.
A more anatomical word for the eyeball; まなこ is not the normal technical term.
まなこ is a native Japanese word. The kanji 眼 is conventionally associated with the meaning 'eye'; the exact historical derivation of the word is uncertain here.