purifying salt
Salt used in Shinto purification rituals, notably thrown in the sumo ring before a bout or scattered after funerals to ward off impurity. Also called 清めの塩.
See also: 清めの塩
Sumo wrestlers throw purifying salt before stepping into the ring.
There is a custom of scattering purifying salt in front of the house after a funeral.
Compound of 清め (purification, nominal form of 清める) and 塩 (salt).