繭まゆ玉だま

noun

New Year's decoration with cocoon-shaped rice cakes

A traditional decoration made by attaching small, cocoon-shaped rice cakes (or sometimes cotton) to willow or other branches, displayed during the New Year period to pray for a good harvest and sericulture. Also known as 餅花 (もちばな).

See also: 餅花

• 田舎いなかの祖そ母ぼの家いえでは、今いまでも正しょう月がつに繭まゆ玉だまを飾かざる。

  At my grandmother's house in the countryside, they still display mayudama at New Year's.

• 繭まゆ玉だまは、養よう蚕さんが盛さかんだった地ち域いきの正しょう月がつ行ぎょう事じでよく見みられる。

  Mayudama are often seen in New Year's events in regions where sericulture once flourished.