DepartmentAsia

New Year's Ornament ("Shimenawa")

NameRitual Ornament

CultureShinto

Datec. 1975

Place madeTokyo, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan, East Asia, Asia

MediumRice straw

Dimensions19 × 21 × 4 in. (48.26 × 53.34 × 10.16 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Lloyd E. Cotsen and the Neutrogena Corporation, A.1995.93.1759

Object numberA.1995.93.1759

Collections

The Lloyd Cotsen & Neutrogena Collection

DescriptionRice straw is twisted into rope-like lengths. A knot is formed within a ring. The top has two narrow fan shapes of rice straw extending on either side, giving it a winged appearance. Made at New Year's and sold at Shinto shrines rice straw; braiding; twisting, knotting.