noun
small characters; tiny handwriting
Rare literary term. Literally 'fly's head', used to describe very small writing. Often appears in classical or poetic contexts.
See also: 細字
彼の手紙は蠅頭のような細字で書かれていた。
His letter was written in tiny characters like the head of a fly.
noun
small profit
Rare term for a meager profit, often used in contrast to larger gains. Compare 小利 (しょうり).
See also: 小利
蠅頭の利を追うよりも、大局を見るべきだ。
Rather than chasing fly-sized profits, one should look at the big picture.
From Chinese 蠅頭／蝇头 (yíngtóu), literally 'fly's head', used metaphorically for something very small. The Japanese reading ようとう is the on'yomi of the characters.