forked arrowhead; double-headed arrow
A traditional Japanese arrowhead with a forked, V-shaped tip, used in archery and historically in warfare. The term can also refer to the arrow itself.
雁股は、先端が二股に分かれた矢じりだ。
A karimata is an arrowhead with a forked tip.
この矢には雁
This arrow is fitted with a forked arrowhead.
Compound of 雁 (kari, 'wild goose') and 股 (mata, 'fork, crotch'), referring to the V-shaped fork resembling a goose's spread tail or legs. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.