expression, noun

Idiomatic expression.
  1. childhood friend, old playmate.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
竹馬の友 ちくばのとも

Contained Kanji Breakdown

bamboo
たけ チク たか (1st, N2)
individual, (個 variant)
knife, wrapping enclosure(勹) variant
feathered stick, barb radical (no. 6)
ケツ かぎ (Kentei 1)
horse
ま バ うま (2nd, N3)
fire, fire radical (no. 86)
ヒョウ カ
friend
とも ユウ う (2nd, N5)
left hand, cliff(厂) variant
or again, furthermore, on the other hand
また ユウ やす (Late Jr. High, N1)