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