noun
new straw; straw from the current year
Refers to straw harvested in the current year, as opposed to old or stored straw. Used in agricultural and traditional craft contexts.
新藁で作った縄は丈夫だ。
Rope made from new straw is strong.
農家では、新藁を納屋に積み上げた。
At the farm, they piled the new straw in the barn.
noun
rice seedlings boiled, dried, and tied into a woman's hair to ward off evil spirits
A specific folk custom item; the rice seedlings are processed and used as a protective charm in the hair. This sense is rare and culturally specific.
昔の風習では、新藁を髪に結んで魔除けにした。
In an old custom, they tied new straw into the hair as a charm against evil spirits.