一いち葦い

noun

one reed

Literal meaning: a single reed. Used in classical or poetic contexts.

• 一いち葦いのごとく流ながれに身みを任まかせる。

  Drifting like a single reed on the current.

noun

small boat

Metaphorical extension from 'one reed' to a small, fragile boat, often in classical Chinese-influenced literature.

• 一いち葦いの舟ふねで大たい河がを渡わたる。

  Crossing the great river in a small boat.

noun

one person

Rare metaphorical use: a single person, as fragile as a reed. Not used in modern everyday language.

• 一いち葦いの身みで世よに立たち向むかう。

  Standing against the world as a single fragile person.