Shimekazariis a decorated shimenawa. Today many households just put up shimekazari like any other new year’s decoration; but traditionally its purpose was to attract the spirit of one particular Shinto deity: Toshigami-sama, (protector of health and good fortune), so that he would purify the house and keep bad luck and evil spirits away.
Shimekazari is usually suggested to be put up between 13th and 28th of December, and to be taken down on the 7th or 15th of January depending on the area of Japan.
