charcoal from thin branches
Refers specifically to charcoal produced from slender twigs or branches, as opposed to larger logs.
散炭は細い枝から作られる炭のことだ。
Barazumi is charcoal made from thin branches.
bulk charcoal; loose charcoal
Charcoal sold in bulk, not bundled in traditional straw bags. Related to the sense of 散 (ばら) meaning 'loose' or 'scattered'.
See also: ばら
昔は散炭を俵に入れずにばらで売っていた。
In the past, barazumi was sold loose, not in straw bags.
Compound of 散 (ばら, 'loose, scattered') and 炭 (すみ, 'charcoal'), with rendaku voicing. The term reflects either the loose, branch-like source material or the bulk selling method.