sake barrel wrapped in straw matting
A traditional wooden barrel for sake, wrapped in a straw mat (菰) for protection and decoration. Often seen at ceremonies and celebrations.
A sake barrel wrapped in straw matting was served at the wedding.
A large straw-wrapped sake barrel had been dedicated at the shrine.
Standard kanji spelling.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling, also common.
Rarely used kanji form; 薦 is an older character for straw matting.
Compound of 菰 (こも, 'straw mat') and 樽 (たる, 'barrel'). The straw wrapping originally served to protect the barrel during transport and later became a decorative tradition.