Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
ござ (goza) Japanese meaning: rush mat | Kotomora
Report an issue with this page
部屋へや
に
ござ
を
敷し
き
ます
。
In summer, I put down a rush mat in the room.
This mat feels nice and comfortable to the touch.
Usage patterns ござを 敷し く to lay out a rush mat
We laid out a rush mat in the garden and enjoyed cherry-blossom viewing.
ござの 上うえ に 座すわ る to sit on a rush mat
On the day of the festival, everyone sat on a rush mat to rest.
ござを 丸まる める to roll up a rush mat
I rolled up the rush mat after using it and put it away.
Kanji 呉 give, do something for, kingdom of Wu Related words 畳 is a thick, fixed straw flooring mat used in traditional rooms, while ござ is a thin, portable rush mat that can be rolled up and moved.
敷物 is a general word for any floor covering or rug, whereas ござ specifically refers to a woven rush mat.
Written forms ござ Usage 43%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms are rare and may not be recognized by many readers.
茣ご 蓙ざ Usage 29%
Rare kanji spelling; the first character is not a standard jōyō kanji.
ゴザ Usage 28%
蓙ござ
Abbreviated kanji form; very rare.
呉ご 蓙ざ
Etymology The word is native Japanese. The kanji 茣蓙 are ateji chosen for their sound rather than meaning. The polite auxiliary ございます derives from the humble form of ござる, which originally meant 'to be' or 'to exist' and is related to this noun.
Irregular kanji usage; not recommended for learners.
