ござ
ござ
noun
rush mat; woven straw mat
1.
rush mat; woven straw mat
A flat mat woven from rushes (igusa) or similar plant materials. Used for sitting or lying on outdoors, at festivals, picnics, and traditional events. Also refers to the woven surface layer of tatami.
花見のためにござを敷いた。
I spread out a mat for cherry blossom viewing.
ござの上に座って弁当を食べた。
I sat on the rush mat and ate my boxed lunch.
夏祭りの会場にはござが何枚も並べられていた。
Many rush mats were laid out at the summer festival venue.
USAGE:
Commonly associated with outdoor events like 花見 (cherry blossom viewing), 花火大会 (fireworks festivals), and picnics. The word can also refer to the woven rush surface of 畳, known as ござ目.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ござを敷く (to spread out a mat)
- ござの上 (on the mat)
- 花見ござ (cherry blossom viewing mat)
KANJI NOTE:
Sometimes written as 茣蓙, but the kana form is far more common in modern usage.