thatching grass; thatching sedge
Refers to grasses or sedges (especially Miscanthus sinensis) used for thatching roofs, walls, or other traditional structures. Often encountered in historical or architectural contexts.
Old houses had roofs thatched with kaya grass.
There are still houses with roofs thatched in kaya grass.
In this region, you can often see people cutting thatching grass.
In autumn, people cut and dry kaya grass.
茅 is a broad term for thatching grasses like miscanthus, while 菅 specifically denotes sedges of the genus Carex.
Standard kanji for thatching grass/sedge; high-frequency in news contexts.
Kana spelling is practical when the kanji is not needed or for clarity.
Alternate kanji; less common but still used, especially in proper nouns.
The word かや is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 茅 and 萱 are both used for this word, with 茅 being more common. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.