注連縄(しめなわ)

しめなわ
noun
sacred rope; shimenawa
1. sacred rope; shimenawa
A rope made of rice straw, used in Shinto to mark sacred or purified areas. Often hung at shrine entrances or around sacred trees and rocks.
神社(じんじゃ)の鳥居(とりい)に注連縄(しめなわ)が掛(か)かっている。
A shimenawa hangs on the shrine's torii gate.
正月(しょうがつ)には玄関(げんかん)に注連縄(しめなわ)飾(かざ)りを付(つ)ける。
We put up shimenawa decorations at the entrance for New Year.
御神木(ごしんぼく)には太(ふと)い注連縄(しめなわ)が巻(ま)かれている。
A thick shimenawa is wrapped around the sacred tree.

注連縄(しめなわ) is a key element of Shinto ritual objects.

CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Made from rice straw (藁(わら))
  • Often has white paper streamers (紙垂(しで)) attached
  • Marks the boundary between sacred and profane space

FAMOUS EXAMPLES:

  • 出雲大社(いずもたいしゃ) has one of Japan's largest 注連縄(しめなわ)

NEW YEAR CUSTOM:
注連縄(しめなわ)飾(かざ)り (shimenawa decoration) is displayed at entrances during the New Year period to invite good fortune.

general
Added 2026.1.17 6:25 · Revised 2026.6.11 0:54
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