also: こうろう
noun
yellow beeswax
Archaic term for yellow beeswax. Not used in modern Japanese; encountered only in historical or specialized contexts.
古文書に「黄蝋」という語が見られるが、現代では「蜜蝋」と言う。
The word 黄蝋 appears in old documents, but today it is called 蜜蝋 (beeswax).
Archaic kanji spelling for yellow beeswax. The reading こうろう is also attested but less common.
Alternate reading for the same archaic term. Both readings are historical.
Compound of 黄 (yellow) and 蝋 (wax). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; it is an old term for yellow beeswax that has fallen out of use.