Kanji 両 both, old Japanese coin, counter for carriages (e.g., in a train) Related words 千せん 両りょう 千両 (Sarcandra glabra) is a similar plant with red berries, but its berries are clustered differently and it has a distinct botanical classification. 万両 is often considered more showy.
百ひゃく 両りょう 百両 (Ardisia crispa) is another related species with red berries, but it is less common and has smaller leaves.
Written forms 万まん 両りょう Usage 78%
Standard kanji spelling for the plant name.
マンリョウ Usage 22%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is common in botanical contexts and when the kanji is not needed.
Etymology The name 万両 (literally 'ten thousand ryō') is a figurative name given to this plant because its abundant red berries were likened to a great fortune. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it belongs to a group of plants named after monetary units (千両 , 百両 , 十両 ).
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