イワシ

Japanese edit

For pronunciation and definitions of イワシ – see the following entry.

[noun] [from 756] a pilchard (especially a Japanese pilchard) (Sardinops melanostictus)

[noun] [from 1747] an uncut sword

[noun] [from c. 1310] on the night of the Setsubun, a pilchard is placed at the entrance along with a 柊 (hīragi, “Osmanthus heterophyllus”) to ward off evil spirits

[noun] [from 1892] (slang, used by criminals) a prison guard

Alternative spellings
鰮, 鰛

(This term, イワシ, is the katakana spelling of the above term.)