Shimenawa
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Shimenawa (kanji: 注連縄 or 七五三縄; hiragana: しめなわ -- しめ shime, enclosing + なわ nawa, rope) are lengths of braided rice straw rope used for ritual purification in the Shinto religion. They are often seen festooned with shide. A space bound by shimenawa often indicates a sacred or pure space, such as that of a shrine. Shimenawa are said to act as a ward against evil spirits, and are often set up at a ground-breaking ceremony before construction begins on a new building. Shimenawa may be found at Shinto shrines, torii gates, and sacred landmarks.
