also: やなぎば · りゅうよう
willow-leaf arrowhead
Only with reading やないば / やなぎば
A type of arrowhead shaped like a willow leaf. Used in historical or archery contexts.
This arrowhead is a shape called a willow-leaf arrowhead.
part of a Japanese stirrup
Only with reading やないば / やなぎば
A component of a traditional Japanese stirrup (abumi). Specialized historical term.
The willow-leaf part of the stirrup is a section where the foot rests.
willow leaf
Only with reading やなぎば / りゅうよう
Literal meaning: a leaf of a willow tree. Original sense, now mostly used in poetic or descriptive contexts.
The willow leaves swaying in the spring breeze are beautiful.
Standard kanji spelling; most common reading is やなぎば.
Alternate reading for senses 1 and 2; less common than やなぎば.
Sino-Japanese reading used for the literal 'willow leaf' sense.
Compound of 柳 (willow) and 葉 (leaf). The arrowhead and stirrup-part meanings derive from the willow-leaf shape.