Masakaki

A masakaki (Japanese: 真榊) is an object used in Shinto rituals.^[1][2][3] It is put on both sides of a table where the event takes place. A masakaki is made with the branches of a sakaki tree. These branches are attached to the top of cloth banners, which come in five colors - green, yellow, red, white, and blue.^[1][3] These five colors stand for the wuxing (five elements). At funerals, masakaki with yellow and white banners are used.^[1]

Masakaki at Yasaka Shrine

Masakaki featuring a sword hung on its left side

Masakaki featuring a mirror and magatama hung on its right side

Special treasures are hung on these branches. On the left side, a sword is hung. On the right side, a mirror and a magatama are hung. The three of them symbolize the Imperial Regalia of Japan.^[1] This configuration is sometimes referred to as a masakaki-dai. A masakaki offering involves donating two such masakaki-dai to a shrine or at a jichinsai.^[2]

They were mentioned in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki as implements used to get Amaterasu to leave the cave.^[3]

In 2016, Shinzo Abe caused a controversy for making a masakaki offering to Yasukuni Shrine.^[4] It was incorrectly reported as being a small tree by some sources.^[2] In early 2023, Fumio Kishida ran into a similar controversy.^[5][6][7]

See also

• Tamagushi