Noun, Noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
common reed (Phragmites australis)
Usually written using kana alone
人間は一本のアシに過ぎず、その本性はきわめて弱いが、人間は考える葦である。Man is but a reed, the weakest in nature, but he is a thinking reed.
Also written 蘆【あし】、葭【あし】、芦【あし】