Izumo Taisha Shrine Shimenawa
Izumo Taisha Shrine, Japan
The shimenawa is a large twisted straw rope with strips of white paper that hangs over the entry to the shrine. These are found at all Shinto shrines, though this is the largest in the country.. I can imagine how difficult it must have been to hang this. They can range in size from very small to over 3000 pounds. They signify a sacred or newly purified place.
©Bill Yeaton