also: つばいもち · つばいもちい
noun
camellia-leaf rice cake
A traditional Japanese sweet consisting of a rice cake (mochi) sandwiched between two camellia leaves. Often associated with early spring and the Doll's Festival (Hinamatsuri).
ひな祭りには椿餅を食べる習慣がある。
There is a custom of eating camellia-leaf rice cakes during the Doll's Festival.
椿餅のほのかな甘さと椿の葉の香りが春を感じさせる。
The subtle sweetness of the camellia-leaf rice cake and the fragrance of the camellia leaves evoke spring.
Archaic reading; つばいもちい reflects an older pronunciation preserved in classical contexts.
Compound of 椿 (tsubaki, 'camellia') and 餅 (mochi, 'rice cake'). The historical reading つばいもちい reflects older phonological forms.