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Naoko Kumagai
Today, I read a story called Shimenawa by Naoko Kumagai, and it really stayed with me. I kept asking myself:
Why would someone use something sacred to punish a child?
Can something meant to protect actually cause fear?
Imagine dinner at home, laughter and chatter all around… and suddenly, fear.
The story takes place in Japan during the summer of 1973...
Jiro, a little boy of four, was playing at the dinner table. He dropped his rice, moved his food around, and ignored his parents’ warnings. I could almost see him there, full of energy and mischief. Then his uncle, Kazuya, usually calm and quiet, did something I didn’t expect. He grabbed a shimenawa, a sacred rope, and tied Jiro to a tree outside.
I felt my heart race reading that part. Something meant to bless and protect became frightening.
For those who are wondering what is Shimenawa?
For those who are wondering what is Shimenawa?
A Shimenawa is a sacred rope made from rice straw or hemp, often decorated with zigzag paper strips called shide. In Japan, it marks holy or sacred spaces and is believed to keep away evil spirits. You can find shimenawa hung on shrine gates, sacred trees, or even large rocks.
Back to the story, I kept thinking; Why would Uncle Kazuya use something sacred like that to punish Jiro? It was a rope that should guard and protect, yet in that moment, it only caused fear.
Reading this reminded me of our own traditions in the Philippines.
"A tiny pouch, a mighty guard "
We have the Habak, a small pouch people wear for protection. Inside are prayers, herbs, or blessed objects meant to keep the person safe. While the shimenawa protects a place, the habak protects a person.
Different objects, different countries, but the purpose is the same: Protection
Stories like Jiro’s make me wonder:
What happens when sacred objects are misused?
Can fear take the place of love and protection?
Sacred things, whether a rope in Japan or a pouch in the Philippines, are meant to remind us of safety, hope, belief, and not to frighten anyone.
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