expression, noun
tears on the sleeves of one's kimono; weeping copiously
Literary expression evoking the image of tears falling onto the sleeves of a kimono, suggesting deep sorrow or abundant weeping. Often used in classical or poetic contexts.
別れの場面で、彼女の袂の露が止まらなかった。
At the parting scene, the tears on her sleeves would not stop.
その悲しい物語を読んで、思わず袂の露に暮れた。
Reading that sad tale, I was lost in a flood of tears.
涙 is the general word for 'tears', while 袂の露 is a poetic, literary expression specifically for tears falling on kimono sleeves.
袖の涙 also means 'tears on the sleeve', but 袂の露 uses the more classical word 袂 (たもと) for the sleeve pouch, giving it a more refined, literary feel.
袂 (たもと) refers to the sleeve of a kimono, and 露 (つゆ) means 'dew', metaphorically likening tears to dewdrops. The phrase is a classical poetic image for weeping.