茅ちの輪わ

noun

cogon grass ring; sacred grass hoop

A large ring made of cogon grass (茅, ちがや) used in Shinto summer purification rites (夏越の祓). People pass through it to purify themselves and pray for good health.

See also: 夏越の祓

• 神じん社じゃの境けい内だいに大おおきな茅ちの輪わが設せっ置ちされた。

  A large cogon grass ring was set up in the shrine grounds.

• 夏越なごしの祓はらえでは、茅ちの輪わをくぐって半はん年としの穢けがれを祓はらう。

  During the summer purification rite, people pass through the grass ring to cleanse themselves of the impurities of the past half year.