cask wrapped in straw matting
A container, typically a barrel or cask, covered with a straw mat (菰/薦). Often associated with traditional sake or soy sauce storage.
In the sake brewery, several old straw-wrapped casks were lined up.
Historical or literary term for a beggar, derived from the image of someone wearing a straw mat as clothing. Not used in modern everyday language.
In Edo-period ukiyo-e, beggars called komokaburi are sometimes depicted.
Alternate kanji spelling using 菰 for the straw mat.
Formed from 薦・菰, read こも and meaning “straw matting,” and 被り “covering.” The beggar sense refers to someone sheltering beneath or clothed in such matting.