A large rope decorated at Bungo Futamigaura in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture, which is known as a famous place for the first sunrise of the year.
Before replacing this large shimenawa for the New Year, local junior high school students experienced making shimenawa for home use.
On the coast of Bungo Futamigaura in Saiki City, there is "Meotoiwa" where two large rocks are lined up, and tourists and locals visit every year to worship the first sunrise over the large rope stretched between the rocks. I will visit one after another.
On the 12th of this month, the large ropes are scheduled to be replaced for the New Year, and a hands-on classroom for making shimenawa for home use was held at a local junior high school so that people could get familiar with the local traditions.
The students carefully knit the straw, which is also used for large ropes, while being taught by the local people.
Then, it was completed by decorating the pine needles and nandina fruits, which are lucky charms.
Approximately 200 shimenawa made this time will be sold in the future and will be used for the maintenance cost of the large shimenawa.
The boy student who participated said, "It was difficult to knit while twisting. I wished that there was something good for the person who bought it."
Principal Kazuya Nakahama of Shinonome Junior High School said, "There are many dark topics such as the new corona, but I want you to have a bright New Year with this shimenawa."