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An Ōnusa

Shinto
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Sacred objects · Japanese Buddhism · Mythical creatures
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An Ōnusa (大幣 ^?) or simply nusa (幣 ^?) is a wooden wand used in Shinto rituals. It is decorated with many shide (zig-zagging paper streamers). When the shide are attached to an hexagonal or octagonal staff, it can be also called haraegushi (祓串 ^?). It is waved left and right during purification rituals.

Ōnusa are not to be confused with hataki, which look somewhat similar.

References

• Encyclopedia of Shinto, Ōnusa accessed on March 29, 2009.