玉たまの緒お

noun

bead string; thread of life

Classical and poetic term. Literally a string of beads, often used metaphorically for the thread of life, especially in waka poetry. Rare in modern everyday speech.

• 玉たまの緒おの絶たえなば絶たえねながらへば忍しのぶることの弱よわりもぞする

  If the thread of my life must break, let it break; if I live on, my hidden love may weaken.