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a Japanese term for a paper doll or figurine used in Shinto rituals and ceremonies, representing a deity or spirit and serving as a spiritual medium or placeholder for the presence of the divine during religious practices
What is a "katashiro"?
A katashiro is a traditional Japanese paper doll that is used in Shinto rituals, particularly for purification purposes. The doll is typically made of paper and shaped to represent a human form. In the ritual, the katashiro is used to symbolically absorb bad spirits or impurities. After the doll is created, it is often passed over a person or object to transfer the impurities, and then the katashiro is usually burned or washed away. The katashiro is a part of spiritual practices aimed at cleansing and bringing good fortune.
