8月21日
Shimenawa Fromthe Field
Making authentic shimenawa,starting with rice planting
Rice grown at Byodoji is prepared as straw, purified with sacred spring water, and woven with care into shimenawa.
Orders for this year's shimenawa ornaments open in October.
What is ShimenawaFrom the Field?
The Shimenawa From the Field Project grows rice in a field in front of Byodoji and uses the straw to make shimenawa ropes, New Year shimenawa ornaments, and amulets.
Today many shimenawa are ready-made or imported. Byodoji wanted to offer a truly rooted shimenawa, so every stage is carried out at the temple: planting, harvest, straw preparation, rope-making, and prayer.
The straw is purified with water from the Hakusui well, said to have been found by Kobo Daishi Kukai, and blessed through goma prayer at Byodoji, the 22nd temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Project overview
- Started
- 2023
- Host
- Byodoji Temple, Hakusuizan, 22nd temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage
- Place
- Aratano, Anan City, Tokushima
- Feature
- Every stage, from rice planting to prayer, is done at the temple.
- 2026 challenge
- Growing tall sake rice and decorative black rice from the beginning.
Items born from sacred-water straw
These items are made with straw grown from the beginning and purified with sacred water.
1Sacred-water shimekazari
These New Year decorations can be placed at an entrance or in a room. Three designs are prepared.
Rinnen
A round form inspired by a mandala where the Buddha's merit gathers.
From ¥3,800
8
A figure-eight shape suggesting infinity and widening good fortune.
From ¥5,800
88
An 88 form representing the Shikoku pilgrimage.
From ¥8,800
The 2026 sacred-water shimekazari will be prepared through this field-to-rope process. Distribution details will be posted here once ready.
View the 2026 making schedule2Waraji amulet
An amulet for leg and back health, made with straw purified by sacred water and shaped like a small straw sandal.
Leg and back health waraji amulet
Waraji straw sandals have long protected travelers' feet. This amulet is a miniature waraji woven from straw purified with sacred water.
- For those praying for healthy legs and back
- For people who enjoy walking or hiking
- As a gift for pilgrims
3,000 yen
The waraji amulet is mailed after being blessed in goma prayer.
3Eighty-Eight Amulet
A good-fortune amulet woven in the shape of 8 with straw purified by sacred water.
Eighty-Eight Amulet
The number 8 is auspicious in Japan because it suggests widening fortune. Two eights, 88, also symbolize the Shikoku pilgrimage and are said to carry the merit of visiting all 88 temples.
It is also cherished as an amulet for leg and back health and traffic safety, honoring walking pilgrims and experienced drivers who have visited Shikoku many times.
One set contains two amulets in the shape of 8. You may keep both or share one with someone important to you.
3,000 yen
STEP 1Rice planting and growth
Soil, water, and seedlings shape the year's shimenawa
Rice planting and green-rice cutting decide the straw's length, suppleness, and color. In 2026, Byodoji is watching tall sake rice and black rice closely while raising the right straw for shimenawa.
2026.05.16 Rice planting (ended)2026.07.25 Green-rice cutting (ended)
May 16, 2026: Rice planting (ended)
On May 16, 2026, rice planting took place in the field in front of Byodoji. Parishioners, supporters, and local participants planted each seedling carefully.
This is not only farm work. It is a sacred event of gratitude to the rice deity and prayer for a good harvest, with participants feeling the mud, soil, and water directly.
July 25, 2026: Green-rice cutting (ended)
On July 25, 2026, the green-rice cutting marked a summer milestone. The temple checked the growth of tall sake rice and the color of black rice to see how the straw was developing for shimenawa.
Water management, weeding, and daily care continue with parishioners until the autumn harvest, deepening gratitude for the Buddha's support and nature's gifts.
Cultivation points for 2026
- Tall sake rice is being raised from sprouting for shimenawa straw.
- Black rice will be added to bring depth to the decorative expression.
- The temple watches the seedlings' growth to find the right blue-green timing for shimenawa.
STEP 2Harvest
September 12, 2026: Harvest
In autumn, the golden rice will be harvested by hand on September 12, 2026 with parishioners and visitors. Each bundle is cut without machines, carrying gratitude for the rice.
The harvested rice is tied into bundles and sun-dried inside the temple grounds. This traditional drying method slowly uses sunlight and wind, bringing out the fragrance and texture of the straw.
Why harvest by hand?
Machine harvesting can damage straw and make it unsuitable for shimenawa. Cutting from the base by hand helps preserve long, supple, high-quality straw.
STEP 3Straw preparation
November: Selecting and preparing straw
From dried rice bundles, the straw suitable for shimenawa is selected one piece at a time. Only straight, undamaged straw with good color is kept.
The leaf sheath is removed so only the core straw remains. This patient handwork is essential because it shapes the beauty of the finished shimenawa.
What makes good straw
- Length: long straw of 60 cm or more
- Thickness: supple and easy to weave
- Color: a beautiful gold with a green tint
- Condition: no breaks or damage
STEP 4Purification with sacred water
Water from the Hakusui well
The selected straw is purified with water from the Hakusui well, said to have been found by Kobo Daishi Kukai. Pilgrims have long cherished this water.
After purification, the straw is dried again in the sun. Through this stage, the straw becomes more than a plant material; it becomes material for sacred shimenawa.
About the Hakusui well
This well gives Byodoji its mountain name, Hakusuizan. Legend says that when Kobo Daishi struck the ground with his staff, white water sprang forth. The clear water still flows after more than 1,200 years.
STEP 5Shimenawa weaving
December: Weaving the shimenawa
Using straw purified with sacred water, the rope is finally woven. Everything is done by hand with skilled instructors and parishioners.
The straw is twisted into three-ply rope and shaped into designs such as Rinnen, 8, and 88. Auspicious crane-and-turtle mizuhiki ornaments are also attached by hand.
Completion
After about seven months from rice planting, the shimenawa is complete. It is a fully handmade rope made without machines.
STEP 6Prayer
December 8, 2026: Goma prayer for shimenawa
The completed shimenawa and amulets will be blessed in the shimenawa goma prayer on December 8, 2026. In the main hall of Byodoji, the 22nd temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage, the prayer asks for health and safety through the coming year.
The fire of goma is said to burn away defilements and carry prayers to the Buddhas. With that prayer, the shimenawa are sent to each household.
What is goma prayer?
Goma is a major Shingon Buddhist rite. Fire is raised on the altar while mantras are recited and offerings are placed into the flames, burning away defilements and carrying prayers to the Buddhas.
2026 field notes
The field this year
Photos and short notes posted by the administrator show the latest state of the rice and straw-making work.
2026 production guide
Making the 2026 sacred-water shimekazari
In 2026, Byodoji is growing tall sake rice and ornamental black rice, and this page will report the path from planting to the goma prayer. Application details will also be posted here once year-end distribution is ready.
What to watch in 2026
This year focuses on both the quality of the straw that forms the rope and the richer expression of the decorations.
Growing long straw
Tall sake rice is being raised from sprouting so the straw can become long, supple material suited for shimenawa.
Adding layered color
Black rice for decoration is also being grown to add quiet depth and shadow to the shimekazari.
Sharing the changes along the way
The page will be updated at each milestone, from rice planting and green-rice cutting to harvest and prayer.
The finished rope is only one part of the story. The changing field and the accumulation of handwork are also part of the 2026 record.
2026 production schedule
- May 16, 2026Rice plantingEnded (registration closed)
Seedlings for shimenawa straw were planted one by one in the field in front of the temple.
- July 25, 2026Green-rice cuttingEnded (registration closed)
The green-rice cutting marked a summer turning point as the temple checked the blue-green straw suited for shimenawa.
- September 12, 2026HarvestRegistration open
The rice is harvested by hand, and straw for the rope and decorations is selected with care.
Harvest details and application - December 8, 2026Goma prayer for shimenawa
The completed shimenawa are blessed in the goma prayer before being sent out.
Rice planting and green-rice cutting have ended, and registration is closed. Thank you to everyone who took part.
Projectparticipants
Executive Director Joko Taniguchi
Byodoji's executive director supervises every stage of the Shimenawa From the Field Project.
Instructor Shige-chan
A skilled instructor in rice planting and shimenawa making, passing on the traditional techniques from planting and harvest to straw weaving.
Online visitors, parishioners, and supporters
Many online visitors, parishioners, and supporters take part from planting and harvest to the final shimenawa making.