also: げいしゅ · げいす
noun
whalebone; baleen
Refers to the keratinous plates in the mouths of baleen whales, used historically for corset stays, umbrella ribs, and other flexible structures.
昔はコルセットにくじらひげが使われていた。
Whalebone was used in corsets in the old days.
くじらひげはプラスチックが普及する前、様々な製品に利用され
Before plastic became common, baleen was used in various products.
Compound of 鯨 (くじら, 'whale') and ひげ ('beard, whiskers'), from the resemblance of baleen plates to a whale's mustache. The Sino-Japanese readings げいしゅ and げいす are based on the on'yomi of the kanji.