Himorogi

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Himorogi (Jap., ‘sacred hedge or enclosure’). In ancient times a particularly sacred place, such as a hill, grove, or the area surrounding some other unusual natural phenomenon. The sacral nature of the site can be manifested in various ways, both spontaneously and through divinatory rites.

Contemporary groundbreaking ceremonies, known as ji-(chin-)sai or koto-shizume no matsuri, reflect in both form and intention the archaic ritual significance of himorogi. A derived usage refers to sacrificial offerings made at the sanctuary; a different Chinese ideogram is used for this meaning.