noun
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
力士は土俵に上がる前に清め塩をまく。
Sumo wrestlers throw purifying salt before stepping into the ring.
葬儀のあと、家の前に清め塩をまく習慣
There is a custom of scattering purifying salt in front of the house after a funeral.