鴻こう毛もう

noun

something extremely light; trifle

Figurative use emphasizing extreme lightness or insignificance. Often appears in the set phrase 鴻毛の軽き (こうもうのかろき) meaning 'as light as a feather'.

• 彼かれの命いのちは鴻こう毛もうの軽かろきに等ひとしいとされた。

  His life was regarded as light as a feather.

noun

feather of a large bird

Original literal meaning; now rare outside classical or explanatory contexts.

• 「鴻こう毛もう」は文も字じ通どおりには大おおきな鳥とりの羽はねを指さす。

  Literally, 鴻毛 refers to the feather of a large bird.