小こ節ぶし

noun

melodic ornamentation; vocal embellishment

Refers to the undulating, melismatic vocal technique used in Japanese folk songs (民謡) and enka, where a single syllable is sung over several notes. Often described as a quavering or wavering of the voice.

• 彼かの女じょの歌うたには独どく特とくのこぶしが効きいている。

  Her singing has a distinctive vocal ornamentation.

• 民みん謡ようを歌うたうときは、こぶしを上手じょうずに使つかうことが大たい切せつだ。

  When singing folk songs, it's important to use kobushi skillfully.

noun

unit of timber measurement

A traditional Japanese unit for measuring the volume of timber, roughly equivalent to one cubic shaku (about 0.0278 cubic meters). Rare in modern usage outside historical or specialized contexts.

• 昔むかしは木もく材ざいを小こ節ぶしで数かぞえていた。

  In the past, timber was counted in kobushi units.