noun
riverside willow; rosegold pussy willow
Refers to Salix gracilistyla, a willow species found along riversides, known for its silvery catkins. Often compared to 猫柳 (Salix discolor).
See also: 猫柳
春になると川柳の花が咲き始める。
In spring, the riverside willow begins to bloom.
noun
Salix gilgiana (willow species)
Only when written 川柳
A specific willow species, Salix gilgiana. Usually written in kana as カワヤナギ in botanical contexts. Restricted to the 川柳 kanji form.
カワヤナギは日本の河川敷で見られるヤナギの一種です。
Salix gilgiana is a type of willow found on Japanese riverbanks.
noun
high-quality coarse tea
Only when written 川柳
A type of coarse tea, historically associated with the 川柳 kanji. This sense is rare and may be encountered in older texts or specialized tea contexts.
江戸時代には川柳という名の粗茶が飲まれていた。
During the Edo period, a coarse tea called 川柳 was drunk.
猫柳 (Salix discolor) is another pussy willow species with fuzzy catkins, often confused with 川柳. 川柳 specifically refers to Salix gracilistyla or Salix gilgiana.
The name 川柳 (かわやなぎ) literally means 'river willow,' reflecting its natural habitat. The kanji 柳 means 'willow.' The alternate spellings 川楊 and 楊柳 are less common. The tea sense likely derives from a historical association with the willow plant or a place name.