noun
metal bowl
A bowl made of metal. Used in contexts like Buddhist alms bowls or general metal bowls.
僧侶は金鉢を持って托鉢に出かけた。
The monk went out for alms with a metal bowl.
noun
An iron helmet. This meaning is rare and usually read てっぱち (鉄鉢). The reading かなばち for this sense is uncommon.
See also: 鉄鉢 (てっぱち)
戦国時代の鉄鉢は、かなばちとも読まれることがある。
The iron helmet of the Warring States period is sometimes also read as かなばち.
More common reading for 'iron helmet'. かなばち is a rare alternate reading for the same kanji.
Compound of 金 (kana, 'metal') + 鉢 (hachi, 'bowl'). The 'iron helmet' sense is an extension from the bowl shape.