pillow word; decorative prefix in classical Japanese poetry
A rhetorical device in classical Japanese poetry, especially waka, where a set epithet or phrase is placed before a word to modify it or add imagery, often with a fixed association.
"Ashibiki no" is a pillow word that modifies "yama" (mountain).
Many pillow words are used in the Man'yōshū.
Used metaphorically for an introductory remark or preface, often in speeches or writing, likened to a pillow word that sets the stage.
He touched on recent news as a preface to his speech.
Before getting into the main topic, I'd like to say a few introductory words.