noun
sake barrel wrapped in straw matting
A traditional wooden barrel for sake, wrapped in a straw mat (菰) for protection and decoration. Often seen at ceremonies and celebrations.
結婚式で菰樽が振る舞われた。
A sake barrel wrapped in straw matting was served at the wedding.
神社に大きな菰樽が奉納されていた。
A large straw-wrapped sake barrel had been dedicated at the shrine.
樽酒 refers to sake stored or aged in barrels, not necessarily wrapped in straw. 菰樽 specifically denotes the barrel itself with the straw wrapping.
Compound of 菰 (こも, 'straw mat') and 樽 (たる, 'barrel'). The straw wrapping originally served to protect the barrel during transport and later became a decorative tradition.