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If you're referring to the braided rope found at sacred sites such as Shinto shrines, this rope is called 'shimenawa.'
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Some common symbols in Shintoism include torii gates, which mark the entrance to sacred spaces, and shimenawa ropes, which are used to delineate areas considered to be spiritually pure. Other symbols include sacred trees, such as sakaki and hinoki cypress, as well as mirrors, swords, and jewels, which symbolize purity, strength, and prosperity.
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A sumo champion (aka: Yokozuna) is dressed in a belt which is removed before matched called also called a "Yokozuna" which literally means horizontal rope and is remarkably similar to the belt known as a "Shimenawa" which is used in the Shinto religion to ward of evil spirits. The rope worn by the champion is very heavy, and upwards of 20+ kilos and is removed before matches. It is worn as a ceremony when entering the ring.
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A shinto shrine (Jinja)
A shrine (jinja) is a sacred place where kami live, and which show the power and nature of the kami. It's conventional in Japan to refer to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples - but Shinto shrines actually are temples, despite not using that name. Every village and town or district in Japan will have its own Shinto shrine, dedicated to the local kami.
The Japanese see shrines as both restful places filled with a sense of the sacred, and as the source of their spiritual vitality - they regard them as their spiritual home, and often attend the same shrine regularly throughout their lives. Shrines need not be buildings - rocks, trees, and mountains can all act as shrines, if they are special to kami.
A large shrine can contain several smaller sub-shrines. Shinto shrines can cover several thousand acres, or a few square feet. They are often located in the landscape in such a way as to emphasise their connection to the natural world, and can include sacred groves of trees, and streams.
Various symbolic structures, such as torii gates and shimenawa ropes, are used to separate the shrine from the rest of the world. Some major shrines have a national rather than a local role, and are visited by millions of people from across Japan at major festivals.
Japanese people don't visit shrines on a particular day each week. People go to the shrine at festival times, and at other times when they feel like doing so. Japanese often visit the local shrine when they want the local kami to do them a favour such as good exam results, a good outcome to a surgical operation for a relative, and so on.
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