Updated November 12, 2024

Have you seen such huge ropes in Japan?

(Shimenawa at Kushida Shrine, Fukuoka, Japan)

They are usually made of rice straw or hemp, which can be found at Shinto Shrines, Torii gates, trees and landmark rocks. They can vary in shape and size from a few centimeters to several meters, and are often seen festooned with Shide— a kind of paper streamers used in Shinto rituals.

(Divine Tree surrounded with Shimenawa and Shide)

(Shimenawa in Torii)

(Sacred wedded rocks with Shimenawa -- Meoto iwa, famous landmark in the Mie prefecture)

What’s more, they can be even used in the Sumo Wrestling to denote the highest rank in Sumo called Yokozuna.

(Yokozuna with Shimenawa)

Then what do they mean? What are they for?

According to the myths, people used the rope to keep Amaterasu (the Sun Goddess) from re-entering the cave she hid in. This might be where the Shimenawa originated. But there was another story related to this custom that the Izumo Kami had instruct people to string a rope along roads to ward off disease, which is also thought to be the possible origin of Shimenawa.

No matter which is the actual origin, they are undoubtedly thought to be the boundary between the sacred and the profane, used to ward off diseases and evils. When you see it around a tree or a rock, that means it is a Yorishiro -- an object capable of attracting spirits called Kami.  Never cut down such a tree, in which is believed to be inhabited by spirits, because it’s thought to bring the misfortune. This also explained why a Shimenawa is used in Sumo Wrestling to denote the highest rank of sumo because Japanese people believe that the Yokozuna-- the highest rank of sumo is a living Yorishiro inhabited by a spirit.

Similar simple string Shimenawa will also be found strung in the area where a ritual will be held such as a ground-breaking ceremony for a new building or the Mikoshi Procession is being prepared.

The best-known and most spectacular Shimenawa is at Izumo Taisha Shrine, Shimane Prefecture. They don’t come bigger than that!

(Shimenawa of Izumo Taisha Shrine)