gambling mat (for dice games)
A mat used for dice gambling, historically associated with the Bon festival period.
They roll dice on the gambling mat.
altar mat for Bon festival offerings
A mat placed on a Buddhist altar during the Bon festival to hold offerings for ancestors.
During Bon, they spread the altar mat and arrange offerings.
Standard kanji spelling; 茣蓙 is a specific term for a woven rush mat.
Common simplified spelling using kana for ござ, easier to read and write.
Compound of 盆 (Bon festival) and 茣蓙 (goza, a woven rush mat). The mat's use in both gambling and religious offerings during the Bon season is reflected in the two senses.