Caterpillar - Hairy caterpillar

Japanese: 毛虫 - けむし

〘Noun〙① A common name for the hairy larvae of insects such as butterflies and moths that belong to the order Lepidoptera. Most are about 2-4cm long. They feed on the leaves and stems of plants. Some have poisonous spines, but most are harmless. A skin moth. [Season: Summer] [Nippo Jisho (1603-04)] * Haikai, Inamura (1685), Vol. 1 "The caterpillar falls and the things are torn apart in the shade of the trees (Kotomizu)" ② ( Based on ① 's obviously creepy appearance) A metaphor for a person who is disliked by others. * Zappai, Kagariku Tonsaku (1709) "I wonder if the sake will be better, as the kindred spirits (kemushi) have come to blows" ③ (Based on ①'s unsightly and scruffy appearance) A metaphor for a country bumpkin. ※Zappai Juhachiko (1729) "Changing from a caterpillar to butterfly wings" ④ (Because the abundance of hair is reminiscent of ①) A metaphor for thick eyebrows. Kemushiyume . Kemushiyume. ※Zappai Yanagi Taru-ni (1767) "A local woman cannot be transformed by two hair caterpillars" ⑤ A decoration made of braided silk threads attached to the front of pants . ⑥ A brush used to wash cows and horses.

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙① チョウ、ガなどチョウ（鱗翅）目に属する昆虫の幼虫で、体に毛の多い幼虫の俗称。体長二～四センチメートルくらいのものが多い。植物の葉や茎を食べる。毒針毛をもつものもあるが多くは無害。皮虫(かわむし)。《季・夏》〔日葡辞書（1603‐04）〕※俳諧・稲莚（1685）上「毛虫落てまま事破る木陰哉〈言水〉」② (①が、見るからに気味が悪いところから) 人にきらわれる人物のたとえ。※雑俳・軽口頓作（1709）「酒のましや、親仁(ケムシ)がやああいきついたア」③ (①が見苦しくて、むさくるしいさまであるところから) いなかもののたとえ。※雑俳・十八公（1729）「毛虫から出替りをして蝶の羽」④ (毛の多いさまが①を連想させるところから) 濃い眉毛(まゆげ)のたとえ。けむしまゆげ。けむしまゆ。※雑俳・柳多留‐二（1767）「地女に毛むし二つで化けられず」⑤ 股引(ももひき)の前に飾りとして、絹糸を組んで付けたもの。⑥ 牛や馬を洗う刷毛。

出典　精選版日本国語大辞典精選版日本国語大辞典について　情報

<<: Chemnitz (English spelling)

>>: Inspection - Kemi