expression, ichidan verb
sit on a cushion
Fixed expression meaning to sit on a cushion, often used in traditional Japanese settings.
お客様は座布団を当てて、正座をした。
The guest sat on the cushion and sat in the formal kneeling position.
Compound of 座布団 (zabuton, 'floor cushion') + を (object marker) + 当てる (ateru, 'to apply; to place against'). Literally 'to apply a cushion to oneself', i.e., to sit on a cushion.