noun
conical hat; coolie hat
Traditional East-Asian hat with a wide brim and pointed top, often made of bamboo or straw. Used in historical or cultural contexts.
旅人は雨をしのぐために笠をかぶった。
The traveler put on a conical hat to keep off the rain.
noun
Refers to something shaped like a conical hat or umbrella: a lampshade, mushroom cap, or the pileus of a fungus. Often used in compound words.
See also: 傘 (かさ)
ランプの笠がほこりをかぶっていた。
The lampshade was covered in dust.
このキノコの笠は赤くて白い斑点がある。
The cap of this mushroom is red with white spots.
傘 refers to an umbrella (rain or sun), while 笠 is a traditional conical hat or hat-shaped object. They share the reading かさ but are distinct in meaning and kanji.
The kanji 笠 is composed of 竹 (bamboo) and 立 (stand), reflecting the material and shape of the traditional hat. The reading かさ is native Japanese, and the exact historical derivation is uncertain.