O-shimenawa (Grand Sacred Rope)

An o-shimenawa is an exceptionally large shimenawa (sacred straw rope) that serves as one of the most iconic visual features of certain shrines. While standard shimenawa mark sacred boundaries throughout Japanese sacred architecture, the most famous grand shimenawa are monumental works of craftsmanship that can weigh several tons.

The most celebrated o-shimenawa in Japan is at Izumo Taisha's Kagura-den, measuring approximately 13.5 meters in length and weighing about 5.2 tons. It is remade every few years through community labor. The Miyajidake Shrine in Fukuoka boasts the largest at roughly 11 meters and 3 tons hung between two massive poles on the seashore.

O-shimenawa are typically made from rice straw (wara), though some use hemp or other natural fibers. The twisting direction (left or right) and the number of strands carry symbolic significance that varies by shrine tradition. The production of a grand shimenawa is itself a community ritual, often involving hundreds of volunteers and taking weeks of preparation.