1.
bamboo grass leaves; sasa leaves
The leaves of the bamboo grass plant (笹). Used in traditional Japanese culture for decorations, food wrapping, and in the Tanabata festival.
七夕に笹の葉に願い事を飾った。
We hung our wishes on bamboo grass leaves for Tanabata.
笹の葉で包んだお餅をもらった。
I received rice cakes wrapped in bamboo grass leaves.
風に揺れる笹の葉のさらさらという音が心地よい。
The rustling sound of bamboo grass leaves swaying in the wind is pleasant.
Closely associated with the 七夕 (Tanabata, Star Festival) on July 7th, when people write wishes on strips of paper (短冊) and hang them on 笹の葉. The famous Tanabata song begins with 「笹の葉さらさら」 (bamboo leaves rustling). 笹の葉 are also used to wrap food items like 笹団子 (bamboo-leaf-wrapped rice dumplings) and as decorative garnishes in Japanese cuisine.