枕まくら詞ことば

noun

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.

• 「あしひきの」は「山やま」にかかる枕まくら詞ことばだ。

  "Ashibiki no" is a pillow word that modifies "yama" (mountain).

• 万まん葉よう集しゅうには多おおくの枕まくら詞ことばが使つかわれている。

  Many pillow words are used in the Man'yōshū.

noun

preface; introduction

Used metaphorically for an introductory remark or preface, often in speeches or writing, likened to a pillow word that sets the stage.

• 彼かれはスピーチの枕まくら詞ことばとして最さい近きんのニュースに触ふれた。

  He touched on recent news as a preface to his speech.

• 本ほん論ろんに入はいる前まえに、ちょっとした枕まくら詞ことばを述のべたい。

  Before getting into the main topic, I'd like to say a few introductory words.