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矛先 (ほこさき, hokosaki) Japanese meaning: spearhead | Kotomora
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The spearhead was shining.
Usage patterns 〈 人ひと 〉 に 矛ほこ 先さき を 向む ける to direct one's criticism or attack at someone
He directed his criticism at his boss.
矛ほこ 先さき が 〈 人ひと 〉 に 向む く for the focus of an attack or argument to turn to someone
The focus of the argument suddenly turned to her.
矛ほこ 先さき をそらす to deflect or divert criticism or an attack
He deflected the pointed question and changed the subject.
矛ほこ 先さき を 交か わす to dodge or evade the brunt of criticism or an attack
He skillfully dodged the brunt of the criticism.
Kanji 矛 halberd, arms, festival float 鉾 halberd, arms, festival float 鋒 dagger, sword's point, festival car Related words 矢面 refers to being in the direct line of criticism or blame (矢面に立つ), while 矛先 refers to the direction or force of the attack itself (矛先を向ける).
的 is a general, passive target of any attack or attention, while 矛先 emphasizes the directed force or focus of criticism or argument.
Written forms 矛ほこ 先さき Usage 75%
Standard modern spelling for both literal and figurative senses.
鉾ほこ 先さき Usage 16%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; 鉾 is an older variant of 矛.
ほこ 先さき Usage 5%
鋒先ほこさき
Etymology Compound of 矛 (hoko, 'spear') and 先 (saki, 'tip'). The figurative sense developed from the literal meaning of the spear's point as the directed focus of an attack.
Usage 3%
鋒ほこさき
rarely-used kanji form
Rare single-kanji form; 鋒 can also be read きっさき or ほう, so this spelling may be ambiguous.
