Tamagushi

Tamagushi (玉串) are offerings made to Shinto deities (kami). They typically consist of a sprig of sakaki (Cleyera japonica), a type of evergreen tree considered sacred in Shinto, adorned with strips of shide (紙垂), which are zigzag paper streamers.

The sakaki branch symbolizes the sincerity of the offerer, while the shide represent the presence of the kami. The act of offering a tamagushi is a fundamental part of many Shinto rituals, including shrine visits, festivals (matsuri), and purification ceremonies (harai).

The offering of a tamagushi is often accompanied by a specific set of procedures. Typically, the offerer receives the tamagushi from a Shinto priest (kannushi), bows slightly, and then turns the tamagushi clockwise, presenting the base of the branch towards the altar. The tamagushi is then placed on a designated stand (hōhei) before the altar. The offerer then bows deeply twice, claps twice, and bows deeply once more, a sequence known as "ni-hai ni-hakushu ichi-rei" (二拝二拍手一礼).

The specific customs surrounding the offering of tamagushi may vary slightly depending on the shrine and the specific ceremony being performed, but the core symbolism and significance remain consistent. The tamagushi represents a gesture of respect, reverence, and supplication to the kami.