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A traditional round cushion, originally made of woven straw or rush, used for sitting on tatami floors.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.
畳の上に円座を敷いた。
I laid out a round cushion on the tatami.
藁で編んだ円座は座り心地がよい。
A round cushion woven from straw is comfortable to sit on.
円座クッションはデスクワークの腰痛対策に使われる。
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.
みんなで円座になって話した。
We all sat in a circle and talked.
キャンプファイヤーを囲んで円座を組んだ。
We formed a circle around the campfire.
子どもたちが円座になって先生の話を聞いている。
The children are sitting in a circle listening to the teacher.
In modern usage, 円座 is also used for donut-shaped cushions (円座クッション) designed for comfort or medical purposes (e.g., hemorrhoid relief, postpartum recovery).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 円座になる — to form a circle (to sit)
- 円座を組む — to sit in a circle together
- 円座クッション — donut/ring cushion
RELATED WORDS:
- 座布団 — floor cushion (rectangular)
- 車座 — sitting in a circle (synonym for sense 2)
- クッション — cushion