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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Shinto shrines are covered in pieces of paper, often zigzag strips of paper. They hang from the rice straw ropes （shimenawa 注連縄） that mark a sacred site. They are attached to the sacred branches that people give as an offering in Shinto ceremonies (tamagushi 玉串). They are used as a tool for purification, when swung to and frow in bulk at the end of a wand （大幣/祓い串). They stand next to mirrors at shrines as gohei.
In addition the the zig zag strips however, there are other pieces of paper that Shrines give out, specifically the pieces of paper that people take home to put in their household shrines (ofudaお札）, and the pieces of paper that are contained inside Shinto lucky charms (omamoriお守り).
It seems to me that essentially they are all the same, the vector for the sacred symbols of Shinto. When they are in their zig-zag form, the form which is usually given to shrines, they have yet to have been cut or torn into their individual form for distribution to worshippers as sacred tags (fuda札) or lucky charms (omamori).
This video shows you how to make the zigzag strips and how I propose they were originally used, to create strips of paper for distribution to the faithful.
I think that Shinto is a form of totemism, that is to say, a religion that structures distributes a certain type of sign. Levi-Strauss redefined totemism as "savage thought" or "bricolage," (DIY), the use of things to hand, things in the world to signify their gods *and themselves*. The importance of this observation is that it provides a hint to a non logocentric (i.e. hearing yourself speak) form of self.
The problem with this interpretation is that, while Levi-Strauss concentrates on the use of natural articles for thought, he does mention the use of manufactured articles (such as gourds) used as totems, and even mythical articles (mythical creatures) used for totems. This considered, the distinction between "savage thought" and Western thought using mental images of phonemes becomes very vague. If Shinto is a form of totemism then it has moved beyond using solely natural articles to using seals printed on pieces of paper. In what sense if any are such symbols part of the word and more than phonemes are part of the word? I suggest that these symbols, that are organised, distributed and valued by the Shinto religion are above all visual.
That visual signs can mean by themselves without the vector of the phoneme is argued persuasively by Hansen (1993) but runs directly against the Western tradition (Barthes, 1977) and is attacked vociferously by scholars such as Unger (1990).
There is strong evidence to suggest that these strips of paper evolved from the use of branches and leaves as is recorded in the ethnology of Kunio Yanagita, and is suggested by the form of the tamagushi, which I suggest are the old form of the Shinto symbol (a branch) combined with new (the zig zag strips shown in this video).
Barthes, R. (1977). Elements of Semiology. Hill and Wang.
Hansen, C. (1993). Chinese Ideographs and Western Ideas. The Journal of Asian Studies, 52(02), 373--399. doi:10.2307/2059652
Unger, J. M. (1990). The Very Idea. The Notion of Ideogram in China and Japan. Monumenta Nipponica, 45(4), 391--411.
Yamada, T. (n.d.). Shinto Symbols. Contemporary Religions in Japan, 7(2), 89--142.
柳田国男. (1990). 神樹篇-柳 田国男全集.
p51 稲荷山の杉・伊豆さ山の梛（なぎ）[ｔｔ常緑高木、榊に少し似ている]の葉のごとく、信者が神木の枝を折って行く慣習と、著しく類似する点があるのである。
p70竿の尖に取り付けた藁苞（わらづと) に、たくさんの小さい御幣を押し、それを抜いて家々に配る風習は前に述べておいたが、天然の神木において、祭りのたびごとにこれと類似した小枝の分配があった。その最も古い出処は、『貞観儀式（じょうがんいしき）』巻三、
Thank you! Its the simplest explaination I have found to date on making them.
As far as I am aware "intent" is not really an issue in Shinto, and that is one of the big differences to Catholicism. At least, many of the people visiting shrines on new years day for instance, would find difficult distinguish their shrine visitation and tourism destination visitation. As far as I know, Shrines welcome tourists, as long as they are respectful. Tourism and shrine visitation has always been bound up ion Japan. See Graburn To pray, pay and play," or books that quote it.
My pleasure. If you tie a lot of them to a pole and wave them over people's heads then it is mean to purify them. Bearing in mind that I think that the strips are a sort of writing pad, I thik that the purification is designed to remove symbols from people's heads to encourage in them a sort of "epoche" (bracketing, Husserl) of their preconceptions allowing them to see the world as it is. It is also pretty weird and a recommended tourist experience.
This is a simple and easy craft to make for a Japanese class. Arigatou.
I love shinto culture and how peacefull it is and the thout that evrything has kami even nature ⛩
These days panpsychism is a scientific theory and Mach's phenomenalism shows how it could be.
Finally I found the name of this thing!
Same here! I've been looking for so long
samee haha been searching for it just found about it today lol!! was typing why Japanese wrap paper on tress lol!
This comment is a big mood
I see this all the time in anime and I finally figured it out by searching japanese zig-zag traditional paper lmao
紙垂
ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B4%99%E5%9E%82#:~:text=%E7%B4%99%E5%9E%82%EF%BC%88%E3%81%97%E3%81%A7%EF%BC%89%E3%81%A8,%E3%81%97%E3%80%81%E5%9B%9B%E6%89%8B%E3%81%A8%E3%82%82%E6%9B%B8%E3%81%8F%E3%80%82&text=%E7%8E%89%E4%B8%B2%E3%83%BB%E7%A5%93%E4%B8%B2%E3%83%BB%E5%BE%A1%E5%B9%A3%E3%81%AB%E3%81%A4%E3%81%91,%E3%82%92%E8%A1%A8%E3%81%99%E5%8D%B0%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AA%E3%82%8B%E3%80%82
One way to understand the Shimenawa and Shide comes from understanding inner strength esoteric practices. The reason Sumo wrestlers wear a Shimenawa around their waist for ceremony is the indication of inner power. Why? Because when we train inner connected strength we become coiled as the Simenawa rope and power releases in lightning effect, thereof the Shide. When we twist and pull apart the coiled rope it tightens and creates friction enabling connected body power releases.
Thank you for your comment.
Shided are not used in Omamori now but please see the references at base of vid explanation.
As you say it probably originates in the Branches. It is a theory of Yanagita's that originally the paper was natural (as in the Ainu version) and that it was given away, I would say as a totemic symbol.
I am not very religious, but I believe that symbols are very powerful. Indeed I think I am a symbol! So when people wave symbols, and possibly give them away...
We are building a Japanese style gate (we lived in Tokyo for 10 years) and found your video when googling for 'how to make shinto zigzags'. So thank you for posting the video, timtak1.
the shide is the shinto equivalent of a christain cross in achurch, please be mindful of its religious meaning and dont blasphem japanese religion, thank you
TheGreenLorelei
Stop telling people what to do.
TheGreenLorelei Not trying to be disrespectful, but Japanese people also enjoy putting Christian crosses on everything even in anime and fashion, so that’s kinda the same thing.
@@RadenWA as he said in the video, Shide marks the border and declares the beginning of the sacred Kami world, so to use this as a fashion and nothing to do with Shinto sounds inappropriate.
Very good tutorial! Many thanks!
I knew I would enjoy watching this from the start. No sound required...
There is sound though, as far as I am aware.
@@nihonbunka Indeed there is! But some little tuition videos are already little works of art WITHOUT sound! well done.
@@esotericist You missed out on my strange theory of the meaning of the shimenawa though. No need to read....
I think that they are the material for making amulets (omamori) and talismans (ofuda) for shrine shelves which are stamped with the name off god. So first by waving them over the heads of the faithful they suck out all the linguistic thoughts and replace them with the name of god in their hands.
@@nihonbunka I have just rewatched with the sound on! Yes. This is an interesting theory.
@@esotericist Thanks. These days I do Buddhism more than Shinto and spend quite a lot of time (when on my bike) chanting the name of a Buddha. While just waving these things over people's heads may do it for the Japanese, chanting seems to me that it is a more brute-force method of removing thoughts (mainly excuses, desires, complaints) from my mind.
Paper offerings are used in many cultures within the context of shamanic ritual. Purification symbols, vehicles for blessings of the gods through the officiants.
I'd be interested to know of more examples. I can think of the paper money for the "hungry ghosts" in China.
I wonder if wedding confetti was originally an offering.
Thank you for watching.
im playing fatal frame series and see many priest using this symbol in their ritual , and i even didnt know what its name , thanks to this videos very help
Remember that everything I say in this video is only my opinion.
I want to make one of the wands, that priests use to purify, and keep it in my seminar room so that after debate (if I can get my students to do such a thing) I can waive the harai-gushi wand over their head and get rid of all words from their mind.
@@nihonbunkagohei wand
I understand "Gohei Wand" but "Gohei" usually refers to the two pieces of paper or even metal in the same zigzag shape that are placed on shinto altars, whereas I was referring to the thing that priest use to perform "sweeping" (harai) or purification, which is topologically the same but floppy, and contains way more than two pieces. They call it a harai gushi which means literally sweeping/purification stick. The "gushi" is the same thing the "kushi" in Kushiyaki which are Japanese kebabs.@@oceanman2011
@@nihonbunka okay thanks for telling me👍
I... think it does go with symbolic lightning. It certainly would carry from other symbols of deities, like Zeus. Now combine a gohei, a shide on a stick, with ceremonial bells in a semi-cloidlike shape and you have all the thunder and lightning needed to control the weather.
It is true that Japanese (too) represented lightening in this fashion. This picture is from around 1861.
ja.ukiyo-e.org/image/mfa/sc169039
But, as I say in the video, I think that the shape has a more practical purpose.
I've seen these on Sailor Moon where Rei (Sailor Mars) lives at the Hikawa Shrine with her Grandfather
They are in most shrines in Japan, if the shrine is in use, or their is a priest.
Thank you, that was really informative. Im going to make one
Depending on where they are they are called a lot of different things but gohei the altar, shide hanging from shimenawa,and nusa perhaps when on those wand (harai-gushi) that priests used to purifythings.
@Definitely Alec Yes. They are used on purifying wands (harai-gushi) on altars attached to vertical sticks, attached to offerings of sasaki evergreen bush branch, and on mirror rice cakes put out at New Year, and other places too I believe.
🙏
Thank you
Awesome
I’ve always wondered what these were
very nice !
Interesting that you tear the Shide into strips. I have seen Korean Mudangs (Shamans) have their form of Shide, being just one of the strips (not the whole Shide as in Shinto) twisted into or onto a rice straw rope. I wonder if there is some common connection. The Koreans while exposed to Japanese Shinto for ages have their own native religious forms of Shamanism. Even many Korean Christians visit a Mudang for spiritual advice.
Tearing shide into strips is rare interpretation. The only place where I have seen it is in the strips hanging from the crown (tengai) of a shinto mythic drama (kagura) stage when at the end the audience come and take some strips home. The strips are of many colours. And, as I think I mentioned in this video, there is historical record of Japanese people rioting in their impatience for the arrival of imperial offerings of strips. The other thing is that usually, money, rice wine, rice...all the things that people give to shrines are useful to shrines. It seems reasonable therefore that the most ceremonially significant offering, zigzag strips, be something that shrines most need. Since shrines dispense pieces of paper with the name of the god stamped upon them (in the form of omamori or ofuda) then it is not unreasonable to assume that the faithful contribute the raw materials. But, this is only my interpretation, and I am no one.
The straw ropes are generally felt to be sacred so only the priest and his helpers touch them, and then only to attach whole zigzags and not single strips. However, one other related practice might be the way that Japanese shrine goers leave single small, densely printed divination strips (omikuji) attached to things, the branches of trees or purposely design wire frames, at shrines.
Photos on Google images below
www.google.com/search?q="神籤"+"結ばれた"&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiroPq29f33AhW-zosBHabPDxUQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq="神籤"+"結ばれた"&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzoECCMQJzoFCAAQgAQ6BAgAEBg6BggAEAQQGFDqDViFgwJgj5ECaABwAHgAgAGlBIgB9RWSAQowLjE0LjEuNS0xmAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=S9ePYuvOCb6dr7wPpp-_qAE&bih=512&biw=360&prmd=inmv
I did a search for divination strips (omikuji) tied (musubareta) and sacred rice straw (shimenawa) and see that occasionally divination strips are tied to rice straw in Japan.
www.photo-ac.com/main/detail/4983321?title=%E7%B5%90%E3%81%B3%E4%BB%98%E3%81%91%E3%82%89%E3%82%8C%E3%81%9F%E3%81%8A%E3%81%BF%E3%81%8F%E3%81%98&searchId=658069850 #写真AC
You know you've got Japanese blood in you now when your first words were in Japanese.
Paper size or width?
My pleasure.
But what will the kami think?
Hmmmm
what does the rope mean? is it like thug thing?
So easy
This is way easier than I thought
reimu
霊夢（神託として見る夢）？
Red sanae
@@nihonbunka sorry I don't speak gensokyo
@@Polyfron Go je wrote "reimu" about which which I offered the Japanese translation, "spirit" (rei) "dream" (mu) which, as I explain in Japanese inside the brackets, is a word referring to dreams that are thought to reveal the will of the god. But go je was probably just bashing his or her keyboard randomly.
@@nihonbunka Thanks for explaining. Go je was referring to Reimu Hakurei, the main protagonist of the Touhou games. She's a Miko who keeps order in a fantasy land called Gensokyo, mainly by fighting youkai.
What’s the uses of that in spirituality,and how to use that,
Rather than talking ("whispering" -- see the Quran) to yourself to define yourself receive your symbols from the outside and hold them in your hand not your mind. Live in the light.
Using this in my ceramics project
I really don't get the folding part. So I get that you fold it in a spiral and it's supposed to look like lightning but how?? Like I watched the video over and over and i tried over and over and I still can't get it. What am I supposed to do? I'm so confused.
Sorry. Fold. Cut from both edges alternately. Then fold as if you were twisting it up, making a spiral of it.
Thankyou
Thank you for watching.
Yes. Just a little.
So do you actually believe in spiritual properties, or do you think at had just the practical purpose (of being handed out)?
Thank you :)
I lost 15 subscribers (of about 50) as a result of posting this video. I am sorry if I caused offence.
I think it was the scissors ..
I will subscribe to make up for it
Very late, but I agree with PaulaXism, Shide are supposed to be cut with a knife only and never scissors, but to those of us learning or studying we will make mistakes. I think that might have been a bit of a harsh reaction.
@@TresTrefusis I haven't heard of any rule against sissors. I know some things are taboo in Shinto but as far as I know sissors are not one of them. I googled sissors and shide and the first page said that it is difficult to get a straight cut with sissors but if you are good with them they may work for you, quoting a Japanese saying "fools and sissors depend on how you use them."
Here' the Japanese page turugamine.com/shidetuku.html
@@nihonbunka ah, could be then, I'm very much a beginner practitioner, even through it's been so long (about 12 years) because it's just not in my area of the Southern United States. I think I am likely the only practitioner of Shinto in my City hehe, I had heard that, but it may not be. Good to hear you reply, don't let losing subscribers put you off, I enjoyed the video :)
I read that shikigami are spriits that you can bind into paper forms. I ask myself why this video was shown to me, it has nothing to do with binding dangerous spirits to paper forms?
I do have a question. I wanted to use these in a fashion design but I’m unsure if it would be deemed disrespectful in anyway and if so I would avoid using it. Trying to do research on iconography and symbols before I use them for a casual setting
I can imagine that some folks would feel it to be inappropriate.
I guess it would bit like goth (is that a dead word?) appropriation of crucifixes but cross cultural as well.
Some Japanese use wedding chapels and fake priests for their weddings, but I think they are aiming for the spirit of Christianity.
Can somebody please help me? I am not Shinto at all, I really like the culture, and I am interested in learning about it, but I am Christian (Correct my terminology if necessary). I saw this other video about making shide by a user named HouzanSuzuki, and he stressed greatly how one should not make one if they are currently another religion. I know that I could be being superstitious, but maybe not, so I was wondering if it would be okay for me t
This might be a bit late (5yrs haha) however from what I know, shinto is a very respectfull religion. As long as you are respectfull towards it aswell and use it with good intention, I don't think it would be a problem
@@crab7564 Even later, but I agree with Luna. I think, in fact I know, from the fact that I used to be one, that you will find much more of a problem with your Christian breathern if they see it than someone who worships the Kami.
The one hit obliterator is very happy
Phone, stop messing me up. Anyway, I was wondering if it would be disrespectful to make shide for my current circumstances and purposes. I would like to use it maybe in a shimenawa across my doorway to my room, or use it against a wall in my room. Also, I might try to use it for cosplaying, if necessary. Could someone please help me out here?
Joe GameWaffle The OP made note in another post that making this symbol is a bit heavy-handed and is akin to co-opting the christian cross without being christian. He recommends the hemp pattern or mitsutomoe symbol for decorative purposes.
And you must wash your hands, and use a knife only for this.. it must not see anything else.. scissors are NOT to be used.. Basic rule is Shinto or nothing is fine.. other religions check yourself and your "beliefs" or .....
im using non blessed shide for cosplay all the time, but when it comes to purifying my house i do it the right way, and this is not the right way of doing shide
@@NaomiAlicia4242564 Please post a video of you doing it the right way.
I am sorry I did not reply 5 years ago. I do not know the answer.
I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS! I AM SHINTOIST (alright sorry for caps) also thanks for showing how to make one
@Late to the Game agreed
Cool. Where are you from?
That moment when internet always show Japanese Culture and tradition by foreigners lol
Katrina Arbolente Shinto is a major part of Japanese culture however Shinto is a religion, which isn’t specific to one nation. Also, less than 3% of Japanese consider themselves Shinto, which is a pity
What one person can do, another can do 🤗
So long as we are respectful of it who cares who does it? I lived in Okinawa for two years when I was deployed there as a US Marine and fell in love with everything Japanese, learned the language (to a passable degree given I was only there 2 years), took Iadio, and yes, I became a part of their religion as well. I practice it to this day even in though I live in the states. ...doesn't make me wrong because I'm not from Japan. If foreigners are the only ones making videos about it so be it. At least an ancient piece of history isn't fading from memory.
If I decorated my bedroom wall in this, for instance, would it be akin to celtic notes with general pagan roots or a more potent religious symbol like the christian cross? I guess what I'm asking is, would it be religiously ignorant/disrespectful to use the zig zag paper as general Japanese decoration?
I think it would be rather heavy handed like the cross.
If you would like something more Japanese a la celtic design the how about hemp pattern
www.google.co.jp/search?q=%E9%BA%BB%E6%A8%A1%E6%A7%98&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=l_7aVJHyLaS-mgXIzIIg&ved=0CB4QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=793
or the triple tomoe (mitsutomoe) like the Taoist symbol but with three parts
www.google.co.jp/search?hl=en&q=mitsutomoe&gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=Uf7aVLCZPIXLmwWilYHoBA
Yin Yang and Children perhaps
thank u, but i want you to explain to me the meaning of the rop made from dry plant silks or dry Palm fronds wich the stips are attached on?
I am not sure what you mean. But the indigenous population of Japan, perhaps, or presumably, the Ainu used plants to make something similar.
Tracy Paxton Yes, you are right. Sorry. "Rop" confused me.
I was searching for hours to find the name of this thing
Shide, Nusa, and the often metal pairs on altars are gohei
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shide_(Shinto)
Is this hard?
Not at all. But you might practice with some old newspaper first.
hai,yasui desu =)
Drop a like if you were here to make a Reimu cosplay!
i do not think shide are made for that purpose
Normally shide are thought to be purely for purification.
But what is purification?
I suggest that shide are essentially the same as tanzaku or ema: a place for leaving ones linguistic thoughts/desires/wishes.
taihen wakariyasui desu
.
ありがとうございます。もう1つの説があります。最近は、万葉集の「禊」の箇所を見つけて、君により言の繁きを 故郷の明日香の河に禊しにゆく」 （巻4-626）とあるから、禊は「言（葉）」を排除するためのものですので、お祓いも言葉・言語排除のための儀式だと思います。実際、お祓いをうけますと、ポッカーンと頭が空っぽになります。
I’m from demon slayer
My children, 14 and 10, are really into Demon Slayer. It is generally quite controversial due to the extreme violence. I did not know that it featured Shinto imagery. Shinto tends to distance itself from death.
Y q sicnifica
Weeaboo be like
⛩ 🏯🌂🌊🎐🎏🎋🎍🇯🇵
My dumbass thinking they gonna use it for toilet paper:👁👄👁
は私の名前をハーマワン、私はノッチ、インドネシアに滞在しました。私はあなたが、これはすぐにサタンの呪いから解放された私の体中の魂のために祈ることで助けたいと思う読んで頼みます。そして魂はあなたのすべての祈りのおかげで生まれ変わることができます
not a single one fucking youtuber explains how to fold it properly. jesus christ.
So, I have got it wrong? It was ages since I was taught. I remember he folded around in a circle or spiral.
@@nihonbunka I mean you fold it right but poorly explained and too fast
as everyone else it seems
@@cyberbird2014 Sorry. Fold as though twisting around in a circle or spiral like a barbers shop sign.
and why is a gaijin doing this?
I live in Japan and do Shinto.
timtak1 well stop kidding yourself, you’re not Japanese. Go practice a religion that doesn’t require your appropriation
From the wikipedia article:
Cultural appropriation, at times also phrased cultural misappropriation, is the adoption of elements of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture.
I am part of a minority culture. Shinto is the majority culture. When I visit shrines I am assimilating not appropriating.
That said, no one other than shrine priests make these zigzags strips so I may well be doing sonething in appropriate in this video.
@@Magnet12 Shut up, you disgusting toad.
Margatroid don’t yell at me
Thank you