also: へ
noun
earthenware jar; large clay pot
Archaic term for a large earthenware vessel, historically used for storing alcoholic beverages or other liquids. Not used in modern everyday language; encountered mainly in historical or archaeological contexts.
古墳から大きな甕が出土した。
A large earthenware jar was excavated from the ancient tomb.
この博物館には、酒を貯蔵するのに使われた瓮が展示されている。
This museum displays earthenware vessels that were used to store sake.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 甕 and 瓮 are both ancient Chinese characters for large earthenware jars, adopted into Japanese with the reading もたい (and へ for 瓮).