Japanese butterfly ray
A species of ray (Gymnura japonica) found in Japanese waters. Typically written in katakana as ツバクロエイ.
The Japanese butterfly ray inhabits sandy bottoms in shallow seas.
Rare kanji spelling using 鱏 (another character for rays).
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; rarely used.
Mixed kanji-katakana spelling; rarely used.
The name likely derives from つばくろ (swallow) + えい (ray), referring to the wing-like shape reminiscent of a swallow's flight. The exact origin is uncertain.