central stalk of a dried rice plant
Refers specifically to the stiff central stem of a rice plant after threshing; used in crafts or as a metaphor for something humble.
I made a small broom using the central stalk of a rice plant.
Do you know the story of the Straw Millionaire?
Rare kanji spelling; 藁 means straw and しべ is a phonetic rendering.
Rare kanji spelling using 稭 (straw stalk).
Compound of 藁 (わら, straw) and しべ (central stalk or core). The exact origin of しべ is uncertain, but it likely refers to the stiff inner part of the plant.