noun
thin bordered mat
A thin Japanese mat with a cloth border, often used in summer or placed over tatami. The term is somewhat specialized and may not be widely known outside traditional contexts.
夏になると、畳の上に薄縁を敷いて涼をとる。
In summer, we lay a thin bordered mat over the tatami to stay cool.
この薄縁は縁の色が鮮やかで、部屋が明るくなります。
This thin mat has a bright border that livens up the room.
Compound of 薄 (usu, 'thin') and 縁 (heri, 'edge, border'), referring to a thin mat with a cloth border. The reading うすべり reflects a rendaku change from へり to べり.