Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Shimenawa

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French version

Shimenawa

注連縄
alternative words: Shimenawa rope, Shime nawa, Sacred rope, Shinto rope
keywords: craft , shintoism , sumo , thing
related topics: Shintoism , Edo period , Yokozuna , Torii
related web sites: http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~auto/SIMENAWA.html
explanation: A rope made by twisting together straws. It is hung horizontally to indicate a sacred shintoism place such as praying hall or torii. Since Edo period, it has been also used as a belt of sumo champion, yokozuna during his presentation (yokozun means "horizontal rope"). The most of shrines hang "shimenawa" with its root (thick side) on the right but Izumo shrine observes the inverse. Until recently, it was made by farmers living in vicinity but it has become difficult to find volunteers.