noun
curve of the tip of a sword
Specialized term in swordsmithing; refers to the slight outward curve near the tip of a Japanese sword blade.
刀のふくらが美しい曲線を描いている。
The curve of the sword's tip forms a beautiful line.
noun
length of a bow
Archaic term for the length of a bow; now rarely used outside historical or archery contexts.
古文書には弓のふくらが記されている。
The length of the bow is recorded in the ancient document.
noun
General term for a bulge or swelling; can refer to a physical protrusion or a rounded shape. Often used in compound words like ふくらはぎ (calf of the leg).
袋のふくらを押さえてください。
Please press down the bulge of the bag.
ふくらはぎが痛い。
My calf hurts.
ふくらむ is a verb meaning 'to swell' or 'to expand', while ふくら is a noun referring to the bulge or swelling itself.
ふくらはぎ is a compound meaning 'calf (of the leg)', literally 'swelling of the leg', using ふくら as a component.
Derived from the verb ふくらむ (to swell). The noun form ふくら refers to the resulting bulge or swelling. The kanji 膨 and 脹 both relate to swelling or expanding, but the word is now usually written in kana.