noun
paper cord for tying the hair
A traditional cord made of twisted paper, used to bind the hair in Japanese hairstyles such as those worn by sumo wrestlers or in historical contexts. The reading もとゆい is standard; もとい and もっとい are variant readings.
力士は髷を結うときに元結いを使う。
Sumo wrestlers use a paper cord when tying their topknot.
この元結いは和紙でできている。
This hair cord is made of Japanese paper.
Abbreviated kanji form; also common.
Compound of 元 (moto, 'base') and 結い (yui, 'tying'), referring to the cord used to tie the base of the hair. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.