This is a "shimenawa" for the entrance of a house made in Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture. Shimenawa marks a sacred place where gods are welcomed and acts as a kind of "barrier" to prevent impurities from entering. They are displayed during the New Year period to welcome the "Toshigami-sama" (God of the New Year), who visits homes with the first sunrise of the New Year. The God of the New Year is said to bring good fortune for the year and to be the guardian of the house.

The straw used for the shimenawa is made from dried non-glutinous rice harvested in Amakusa. They are carefully handmade by skilled craftsmen and are characterized by their simple yet warm texture. It is said that it is advisable to decorate a new shimenawa every year, so let's welcome the New Year with a refreshing feeling.

Amakusa Shimenawa
In the Amakusa region, many homes keep their shimenawa displayed all year round; this can be seen in most parts of the Amakusa Shimoshima Islands, and is said to be a remnant of the custom of displaying Shinto shimenawa on the eaves all year round to avoid being suspected of being Christians during the period when Christianity was banned.