woven straw mat for snow protection
A traditional Japanese garden item: a woven straw or rush mat wrapped around shrubs and trees in winter to prevent branches from breaking under heavy snow. Often seen in snowy regions like Hokuriku.
In winter, the gardener puts yabumaki on the pine trees.
In snow country, yabumaki are a winter tradition.
Compound of 藪 (yabu, 'thicket, bush') and 巻 (maki, 'wrapping'). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely refers to wrapping bushes or thickets.