also: ボタンゆき
large snowflakes
Refers to big, fluffy snowflakes that fall gently, like peony petals. Often used in poetic or descriptive contexts.
Outside the window, large snowflakes were falling quietly.
It feels nice to walk while large snowflakes are dancing in the air.
綿雪 also describes large, soft snowflakes like cotton, but 牡丹雪 specifically evokes the image of peony petals.
Standard kanji spelling. 牡丹 (peony) + 雪 (snow), evoking large, soft petals.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling, common in everyday writing.
Katakana-kanji spelling, sometimes used for emphasis or in informal contexts.
Compound of 牡丹 (botan, 'peony') and 雪 (yuki, 'snow'), from the resemblance of large, soft snowflakes to peony petals.