真綿(まわた)

Composed of 真(ま) (true, genuine) + 綿(わた) (cotton, wadding). Despite the kanji 綿(わた), 真綿(まわた) is made from silk, not cotton. The 真(ま) distinguishes it from ordinary plant-based 綿(わた) (cotton).

Idiomatic expression

真綿(まわた)で首(くび)を絞(し)める — literally "to strangle with silk floss." Describes applying slow, gentle but persistent pressure, or gradually tightening the screws on someone. Because silk floss is soft, the strangling is slow and drawn out rather than sudden.

Common collocations

• 真綿(まわた)の布団(ふとん): silk-filled futon
• 真綿(まわた)のように柔(やわ)らかい: soft as silk floss
• 真綿(まわた)で包(つつ)むように: gently, as if wrapping in silk floss

Similar words

• 綿(わた)/木綿(もめん): cotton — plant-based fiber, much more common and cheaper
• 絹(きぬ): silk — the woven fabric, as opposed to the raw floss
• 羽毛(うもう): down feathers — another premium natural filling for bedding