ござ

ござ
noun
rush mat; woven straw mat
furniture
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(はなみ)のためにござを敷(し)いた。
I spread out a mat for cherry blossom viewing.
ござの上(うえ)に座(すわ)って弁当(べんとう)を食(た)べた。
I sat on the rush mat and ate my boxed lunch.
夏祭(なつまつ)りの会場(かいじょう)にはござが何枚(なんまい)も並(なら)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(はなみ) (cherry blossom viewing), 花火大会(はなびたいかい) (fireworks festivals), and picnics. The word can also refer to the woven rush surface of 畳(たたみ), known as ござ目(め).

Common collocations

Writing

Sometimes written as 茣蓙(ござ), but the kana form is far more common in modern usage.

general
Added 2026.3.20 22:41 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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