はやにえ

noun

shrike's larder; impaled prey

Refers to the behavior of shrikes (モズ) impaling prey on thorns or twigs for later eating. Often used in the phrase モズのはやにえ. This is the primary modern meaning.

See also: もずのはやにえ

• モズのはやにえは、冬ふゆの観かん察さつ会かいでよく話わ題だいになる。

  The shrike's larder is a common topic at winter nature observation events.

• 庭にわの木きに、はやにえを見みつけた。

  I found impaled prey on a tree in the garden.

noun

first offering of the season

Original meaning: the first harvest or catch offered to the gods. Now rare and mostly historical; the modern word is usually associated with the shrike behavior.

• 古ふるい文ぶん献けんでは、はやにえは神かみへの初はつ物ものの供そなえ物ものを指さした。

  In old texts, はやにえ referred to the first seasonal offering to the gods.