katashiro
1 of 1nouna Japanese term for a paper doll or figurine used in Shinto rituals and ceremonies, representing a deity or spirit and serving as a spiritual medium or placeholder for the presence of the divine during religious practices
A katashiro is a traditional Japanese paper doll that is used in Shinto rituals, particularly for purification purposes. The doll is typically made of paper and shaped to represent a human form. In the ritual, the katashiro is used to symbolically absorb bad spirits or impurities. After the doll is created, it is often passed over a person or object to transfer the impurities, and then the katashiro is usually burned or washed away. The katashiro is a part of spiritual practices aimed at cleansing and bringing good fortune.
- The Shinto priest used a katashiro to cleanse the house of negative energy during the ceremony.
- After the katashiro was passed over, it was burned to symbolize the removal of bad spirits.
- We learned about the katashiro in our Japanese culture class and how it is used in purification rituals.
- The katashiro served as a reminder of the importance of spiritual purity in Japanese customs.
- At the festival, they handed out small katashiro for people to use in a traditional cleansing practice.