稲穂(いなほ)

稲穂(いなほ) refers to the ear or head of a rice plant — the grain-bearing part that droops when ripe.

Forms

稲(いね) (rice plant) + 穂(ほ) (ear, head of grain).

Cultural note

Appears in the famous proverb: 実(みの)るほど頭(こうべ)を垂(た)れる稲穂(いなほ)かな — "The more the rice ripens, the more the head bows." This teaches that truly accomplished people remain humble.

Common expressions

• 稲穂(いなほ)が実(みの)る: the rice ears ripen
• 稲穂(いなほ)が揺(ゆ)れる: the rice ears sway (in the wind)
• 黄金色(こがねいろ)の稲穂(いなほ): golden rice ears

Usage

A seasonal word (季語(きご)) for autumn in haiku, evoking harvest time and the Japanese countryside.