ritual rod to ward off evil
Archaic term for a rod, typically made of holly olive, used in traditional rituals to avert calamities. Not used in modern everyday language.
Old documents describe the use of a 撮棒 in religious ceremonies.
Archaic term; the kanji 撮 is rare and may not be recognized by modern readers.
Alternate archaic spelling; 尖 suggests a pointed shape.
Alternate archaic spelling; 材 means 'material' or 'wood'.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji spellings suggest a stick (棒) used for exorcism or protection, possibly related to 災 (sai, 'disaster') and 防 (bō, 'ward off').