noun
rivalry in love; love triangle
Refers to competition between two people for the affection of the same person, often with a dramatic or old-fashioned flavor. Commonly used in the phrase 恋の鞘当て.
See also: 恋の鞘当て
あの二人は恋の鞘当てをしているらしい。
Those two seem to be rivals in love.
noun
quarrel over a trifle; storm in a teacup
A dispute or argument over something insignificant; often used figuratively. The literal image is of two samurai quarreling after their sword sheaths accidentally touch.
そんな小さなことで鞘当てをするのはやめよう。
Let's not quarrel over such a trivial matter.
noun
quarrel from clashing sheaths
Original literal meaning: a fight between two samurai caused by accidentally bumping sword sheaths while passing each other. Now mostly historical or used to explain the origin of the figurative senses.
鞘当ては、かつて武士同士の諍いのきっかけになった。
In the past, a clash of sheaths could trigger a quarrel between samurai.
Literally 'sheath strike'. Originates from the Edo period, when samurai would sometimes fight after their sword sheaths accidentally touched while passing each other. The term later broadened to any trivial quarrel and then specifically to rivalry in love.