Related words 曲ま がりくねる Verb meaning 'to wind' or 'to meander'; 九十九折 is a noun/adjectival noun describing the state of being winding, often used for roads.
蛇だ 行こう Means 'meandering' or 'snaking', often used for rivers or movements; 九十九折 specifically implies many sharp turns like a mountain path.
Written forms 九十九折つづらおり Usage 26%
Standard kanji spelling; literally '99 bends', a poetic way to describe a winding path.
つづら 折お り Usage 63%
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; practical for learners and common in signage.
葛つづら 折お り Usage 5%
Ateji spelling using 葛 (kudzu) for its winding vine imagery; rare and literary.
葛つづら 折おり Usage 5%
Ateji variant without okurigana; very rare.
九つ 十づ 九ら 折お り
Variant with okurigana; less common but still seen.
つづら 折おり
Mixed kana-kanji without okurigana; less frequent.
Etymology From 九十九 (ninety-nine) + 折り (bend), literally '99 bends'. The number 99 is used hyperbolically to indicate countless turns. The spelling 葛折り is ateji, using the character for kudzu vine to evoke a winding shape.
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