also: ことのえ
noun
word; language; poetic expression
Poetic term for words or language, often with a lyrical or elegant nuance. Used in classical contexts and modern poetic writing.
言の葉に思いを込めて、歌を詠む。
I compose a poem, putting my feelings into words.
Her words were as beautiful as flowers.
noun
waka; classic Japanese poem (esp. tanka)
Archaic term specifically for waka poetry, especially tanka. Not used in modern everyday language.
See also: 和歌
古の言の葉を読み解くことは、当時の人々の心に触れることだ。
Reading and interpreting ancient waka is like touching the hearts of people of that time.
Kana spelling is common in modern usage, especially when the poetic nuance is not emphasized.
Compound of 言 (koto, 'word') + の (no, possessive particle) + 葉 (ha, 'leaf'), literally 'leaves of words'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the metaphor of words as leaves is a common poetic device in classical Japanese.