straw belt wrapped around trees to protect against pests
A traditional horticultural practice in Japan, especially for pine trees, where a straw mat (こも) is wrapped around the trunk in winter to trap pests.
See also: 薦 (こも)
In winter, you can see gardeners putting straw belts around pine trees.
decorative straw wrapping around wine barrels
A traditional decorative technique where straw rope is wrapped around sake or wine barrels, often seen at shrines or ceremonies.
The sake barrels dedicated at the shrine were beautifully wrapped with decorative straw.
わら is general straw; こも is a woven straw mat, and こも巻き specifically uses such mats.
Common mixed kana-kanji spelling; こも is often written in kana.
Full kanji spelling using 菰 for the straw mat.
Alternate kanji spelling using 薦, also meaning straw mat.
Abbreviated kanji spelling without okurigana; less common.
Abbreviated kanji spelling without okurigana; less common.
Compound of こも (straw mat) and 巻き (wrapping), from 巻く (to wrap). The practice is traditional and the term is straightforwardly descriptive.