Wara straw is a material which has come to have many uses thanks to the ingenuity of farming families, who make a diverse array of tools and objects from it. One of the most representative uses of wara straw is shimenawa.

But what is a shimenawa? In shinto, shimenawa are traditional ropes made from hemp or straw used to purify spaces and mark locations kami are believed to inhabit. Legend has it that the first use of a shimenawa was by the god Futo-tama, who used one to prevent the sun goddess Amaterasu from returning to the cave she had been hiding in following an argument with her brother Susanoo.

As a means of purifying spaces and preventing evil from entering, shimenawa ropes are also hung to welcome the god Toshigami into one’s home.  This exclusive experience offers visitors the chance to make a shimenawa decoration for your home using green wara.  An experienced local craftsperson will teach you how to prepare the straw and weave it into these fascinating ropes used to purify homes and hearts.