noun
animal glue; gelatinous glue
Refers to a traditional glue made by boiling animal bones, hides, or fish parts. Used in woodworking, crafts, and traditional painting.
日本画では膠を使って顔料を固めます。
In Japanese painting, animal glue is used to bind pigments.
この接着剤は膠を主成分としている。
This adhesive is mainly made of animal glue.
The kanji 膠 is composed of 肉 (meat/flesh) and 翏 (a phonetic component), reflecting its origin from animal tissues. The reading にかわ is of native Japanese origin, possibly related to 煮皮 (にかわ, 'boiled hide'), though the exact derivation is uncertain.