円座(えんざ)

えんざ
noun
round cushion; sitting in a circle
furniture
1. round straw cushion; circular seat cushion
A traditional round cushion, originally made of woven straw or rush, used for sitting on tatami floors. Also refers to modern circular cushions.
I laid out a round cushion on the tatami.
藁(わら)で編(あ)んだ円座(えんざ)は座(すわ)り心地(ごこち)がよい。
A round cushion woven from straw is comfortable to sit on.
Donut cushions are used to relieve back pain from desk work.
2. sitting in a circle; forming a circle to sit together
The act of people sitting together in a circular arrangement, typically for conversation, drinking, or a meeting.
みんなで円座(えんざ)になって話(はな)した。
We all sat in a circle and talked.
キャンプファイヤーを囲(かこ)んで円座(えんざ)を組(く)んだ。
We formed a circle around the campfire.
子(こ)どもたちが円座(えんざ)になって先生(せんせい)の話(はなし)を聞(き)いている。
The children are sitting in a circle listening to the teacher.

In modern usage, 円座(えんざ) is also used for donut-shaped cushions (円座(えんざ)クッション) designed for comfort or medical purposes (e.g., hemorrhoid relief, postpartum recovery).

Common collocations

Related words