noun
straw raincoat
Traditional Japanese raincoat made of straw or rush, worn especially by farmers and travelers in pre-modern times. Now mostly seen in historical contexts, festivals, or as a cultural item.
昔の農民は雨の日に蓑を着て田んぼで働いた。
In the old days, farmers wore straw raincoats when working in the rice paddies on rainy days.
この祭りでは、参加者が蓑と笠を身につけて踊る。
At this festival, participants dance wearing straw raincoats and conical hats.
Rarely used kanji form.
The word みの is native Japanese, with the kanji 蓑 specifically created for this item. The exact origin of the reading is uncertain, but it may be related to the verb 見る (to see) or 身 (body), though these are speculative.