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Shimenawa 注連縄 a sacred rope
You see them at the entrance to a holy place, usually a Shinto shrine, to mark the entry into a sacred area. They are also around sacred trees.
Simplicity was the essence of the earlier Shinto shrines in Japan. The natives believe that the Japanese kami (gods) inhabit all natural phenomena such as volcanoes and rocks; these sacred places were thus marked with only a shimenawa (special plaited rope) and gohei (strips of white paper). The shimenawa will lead one to fences and on to the torii gates, which are now common features of a shrine.
I have written about the gates (torii) to a Shinto shrine here:
. Torii 鳥居
Gate of a Shinto Shrine
The Great Shimenawa at Izumo Shrine
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kigo for early winter
shime tsukuri 注連作 (しめつくり) making sacred ropes
... shime nau 注連綯う（しめなう）
They are prepared for the New Year decorations. Many farmers make small ones for their home entrances and local shrines.
kigo for the New Year celebrations
these ropes are renewed to make sure the area is purified and stays that way for the coming year. There are also smaller ropes for the home shrine (kamidana) or the Tokonoma in a private home.
shimekazari 注連飾 (しめかざり)
kadokazari 門飾 かどかざり）
toshinawa 年縄（としなわ）
wakazari 輪飾（わかざり） round straw wreath
kazarinawa 飾縄（かざりなわ）, nawakazari 縄飾り（なわかざり）
kazariwara 飾藁（かざりわら）
maedarejime 前垂注連（まえだれじめ）
wajime 輪注連（わじめ）round straw rope
daikonjime 大根注連（だいこんじめ）in the form of a radish
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
goboojime 牛蒡注連（ごぼうじめ）in the form of a burdock root
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
shime morai 注連貰 (しめもらい)collecting straw rope decorations
Children go around before the "little New Year" on January 15 to collect the straw decorations for buring at a common pile, Sagichoo 左義長(さぎちょう).
Dondoyaki どんど焼 and sagichoo, burning of decorations
For more about HUMANITY KIGO look here at the New Year
WKD : New Year, shinnen shin nen 新年
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Some English Links dealing with this Shimenawa:
In Japan, shimenawa (sacred twists of ricestraw rope) can be as small and light as a feather or weigh over 3,000 pounds. They signify a sacred or newly purified space, especially when hung over doorways.
There is some more light information about the Shimenawa.
http://www.swarthmore.edu/Humanities/pschmid1/array/convolute3/shimenawa.html
A rope similar to the shimenawa is also worn by yokozuna, the highest ranked sumo wrestlers, during ritual ceremonies.
Short Information about Shinto Shrines:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html
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A great LINK about Asian Rice Cultures
Over the centuries, rice has sculpted the culture of Asia. It is the grain that links Heaven and Earth, mortals and gods. Wherever the crop has been planted, festivals, traditions, rituals, and languages celebrate its importance. Even for those for whom rice is an everyday sight, something magical—spiritual—still radiates from the depths of the green fields.
Ceremonies, Rituals, and Festivals
Rice in Greetings, Meanings, and Symbolism
Medicinal Uses of Rice
Rice Landscape
Rice in the Weave
RiceWorldThe world’s only museum dedicated exclusively to rice.
Mountains of Rice: Beauty and Toil
Photos with Shimenawa / Philippines
http://www.asiarice.org/sections/gallery/gallery6-3.html
http://www.asiarice.org/sections/riceheritage/riceheritage.html
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The Japanese Group for the Study of the Shimenawa
has an extensive site with all the anwers we could wish for. I will use it to show you more pictures and more explanations. Make sure you go to the pages mentioned and see the many examples given.
.. .. .. .. Shimenawa around a tree
... ... ... Shimenawa from Iwaki Shrine, Tsugaru
http://simenawa.org/
. . . CLICK here for "simenawa" Photos !
Different forms of the hangers
http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~auto/SIDE.html#SIDE.html
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Some Pictures
Shimenawa (Sacred Rope) Naminoue Shrine, Naha City
http://www.pbase.com/image/25059964
Camphor Tree Kusunoki 楠木 くすのき
ein heiliges Seil
schmueckt die Gottheit -
tausend Jahre Leben
Gabi Greve
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paper and straw -
the new year starts
with a clean slate
Gabi Greve, January 2007
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. warazaiku 藁細工 things made of straw
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO TOP . ]
[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
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