also: すぎたま
sugidama; cedar ball hung at sake breweries
A traditional ball made from the sprigs of Japanese cedar (sugi), hung under the eaves of sake breweries to indicate that new sake has been brewed. It starts green and gradually turns brown, signaling the maturation of the sake.
A sugidama is hung under the eaves of the sake brewery.
While the sugidama is still green, it's the season for new sake.
Standard kanji spelling. The reading すぎだま is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common than すぎだま.
Compound of 杉 (sugi, 'Japanese cedar') and 玉 (tama, 'ball'). The reading すぎだま is a standard rendaku form.