Mini Jā-maki Straw Snake Weaving Experience

Make your own charm against bad luck!: Jā-maki is a Shinto ritual held on 28th November every year in all seven districts of Chibu Village. The local residents weave a “snake god” from straw to pray for various things, such as to ward off evil spirits and pray for the prosperity of descendants.

It is said that the Jā-maki straw snake is an ancient form of the shimenawa rope, a very important part of Japanese culture. Shimenawa is a straw rope that is used to mark sacred places in the Japanese religion, Shinto, especially in shrines. A small-sized shimenawa can be seen in many other places, too, e.g. as a part of the traditional attire worn by the highest-ranking sumo wrestler during the ring-entering ceremony.

The local residents gather at a venue in each area, and hand weave the straw snake together. After the snake is made, it is tied around a sacred tree in the area, and every year the locals make a new snake. Since there are 7 areas/neighborhoods in Chibu Village, there are seven gigantic straw snakes that you can see!

Why don't you make a lucky charm straw snake in small size and take it home as a memory of your visit to the Oki Islands?

Basic information