Classical poetic epithet for a mother or parent, often used as a pillow word (makura kotoba) in waka poetry. In modern contexts, it appears only in literary or poetic references, not in everyday speech.
The expression 'tarachine no haha' is often found in old waka poems.
Tarachine was used as a pillow word praising mothers.
Archaic kanji spelling; the word is a classical poetic epithet. The kanji are ateji and not used in modern writing.
Kana spelling is the practical modern form when the word is referenced or used in poetry.
Variant archaic kanji spelling; also ateji. Rarely encountered outside classical texts.
The exact derivation is uncertain. Traditionally interpreted as a pillow word (makura kotoba) associated with 'mother' or 'parent', possibly from an ancient phrase meaning 'hanging breasts' (垂乳) combined with an honorific or root element. The kanji are ateji.