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張り子の虎 (はりこのとら, harikonotora) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

張はり子この虎とら

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Meanings

1

expression, noun

papier-mâché tiger toy

A traditional toy tiger made of papier-mâché with a loose, wobbly head that nods or shakes.

縁えん日にちで張はり子この虎とらを買かってもらった。

I was bought a papier-mâché tiger at the festival.

2

expression, noun

paper tiger; all bark and no bite

idiomatic expression›

Idiomatic expression for someone or something that appears threatening but is actually weak or ineffectual.

彼かれは口くちでは強つよそうだが、実じっ際さいは張はり子この虎とらだ。
He talks tough, but he's actually a paper tiger.

Kanji

張counter for bows & stringed instruments, stretch, spread
子child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM
虎tiger, drunkard

Related words

張はり子こ
Refers to papier-mâché itself or objects made from it, not specifically a tiger.
虎とら
The animal 'tiger'; 張り子の虎 is a toy or metaphor, not a real tiger.

Written forms

張はり子この虎とら
Standard kanji spelling with okurigana.
張はり子この虎とら
Variant without okurigana; also common.

Etymology

Literally 'papier-mâché tiger'. The idiomatic sense comes from the toy's hollow, fragile nature, suggesting something that looks fierce but is easily broken.