What is the sacred rope used to mark a Shinto shrine's sacred space?

The sacred rope used to mark a Shinto shrine’s sacred space is called a shimenawa.

A shimenawa is a rope traditionally made from rice straw or, in some cases, hemp. It marks a boundary around a ritually pure or sacred area and is commonly decorated with folded white paper streamers called shide. At shrines, it may hang across entrances, surround objects, or encircle trees and rocks believed to be inhabited by kami.

Shimenawa are connected with purification and protection. In one origin story, after Amaterasu emerged from the heavenly rock cave, the deity Futo-tama used a rope to prevent her from returning inside. The rope became a model for demarcating sacred space. This story also links the object to the restoration of light and order.

A shimenawa should not be confused with a gohei, which is a ritual wand or offering decorated with paper streamers. Ema are wooden prayer plaques, while ofuda are paper or wooden talismans. Shimenawa can also appear outside shrine buildings, including around sacred trees, rocks, waterfalls, and other natural landmarks.