kaya 茅

Originally kaya 上屋 (on top of the house). A proto-modern generic term for the grass and reeds used to thatch roofs. Kaya is often translated as zebra grass or miscanthus and is common for thatching roofs. Pampus grass susuki 薄 is often used for both roofing and in making matchstick blinds *sudare 簾. Ditch reed yoshi 葭 is exceedingly durable for roofing, but tends to slide off more easily than pampus grass so is less popular. The eave-ends of ditch reed are finished by pounding with a smooth surfaced tool called menashi gangibō 目なし雁木棒. The other grasses and reeds are trimmed neatly with shears. Other plants utilized are a cogon grass chigaya 白茅 or sedge suge 菅.