whistling arrow; signal arrow
Historical term for an arrow fitted with a whistle (kabura) that makes a sound in flight; used in ancient Japan to signal the start of battle or for ceremonial purposes. Related to 鏑矢.
See also: 鏑矢
The whistling arrow was shot to signal the start of the battle.
古文書には鳴り鏑の記述が残っている。
Descriptions of whistling arrows remain in ancient documents.