Naturally dried leaves of wild-growing mako (Zizania latifolia) from Kani City, Gifu Prefecture, without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. This product is a shimenawa (sacred rope) made from mako, with a three-strand design, tied with seima (purified hemp) cords, and artificial nanten (Japanese sacred bamboo), sakaki (Cleyera japonica), and ferns. Use it throughout the year, not just for the New Year, but also for your entrance, rooms, or car. The shimenawa originally signifies a "boundary," a marker indicating a sacred space. As mako embodies the meaning of boundaries and purification, it is recommended as a talisman for warding off evil and purification. Due to the nature of mako, the lengths may be uneven and prone to breakage, so the craftsmanship is not of high quality. The value lies in the use of mako, which has been cherished and considered sacred by Japanese people since ancient times. Mako has excellent purifying properties and is said to calm the mind and promote relaxation simply by placing it in a room. Width: 13 cm, Height: 30 cm ~What is Mako?~ It is said that when there were no plants on Earth, Susanoo first planted mako on the ground. Therefore, mako is used for the shimenawa of shrines across Japan that enshrine Susanoo, including Izumo Taisha Shrine. The shimenawa of Ise Jingu Shrine uses "asa" (hemp). Furthermore, there is a Buddhist story that says that the Buddha treated the sick by having them lie on a mako-woven mushiro (sleeping mat), which is why "bon goza" (mako mats) and "bon fune" (mako boats) woven from mako are offered during the Obon festival. Mako has been deeply connected to the Japanese people since ancient times and is treated as a sacred grass and a spiritual grass.