noun
rush sleeping mat; sleeping mat
A traditional Japanese mat made of woven rush (igusa) used for sleeping, often placed directly on tatami or flooring.
夏は寝ござを敷いて寝ると涼しい。
In summer, sleeping on a rush mat is cool.
祖母は古い寝ござを丁寧に手入れしている。
My grandmother carefully maintains her old sleeping mat.
Compound of 寝 (ne, 'sleep') and ござ (goza, 'rush mat'). The word ござ itself is of uncertain origin, possibly from Portuguese 'goza' or a native Japanese term.