Akatashiro (形代) is a kind ofyorishiro where akami is said to enter which has a human form.[1] In Shinto rituals and folk customs, dolls are used as human substitutes to transfer sins and impurities during exorcisms. They are usually made of paper or thin boards. After the exorcism, they are thrown into the river or sea, or burned.[2] DuringHinamatsuri in March, people use these dolls asnademono (撫で物) to stroke the parts of their bodies that are not in good shape, and then cast them into the river or sea to pray for the growth of theirchildren.[3][4]
Katashiro is said to have existed sinceAncient times, and has been found inDogu from theJōmon period, human-faced earthenware from theYayoi period, and human haniwa from theKofun period. Since they were to be flushed with water, plants and trees were used as materials. InJapan, from ancient times to the present, an event called "Oharai", which is described inKojiki andEnki-Shiki, has been held atShinto shrines all over Japan.[3] In this event, people blow on the dolls distributed by the shrine and stroke the parts of the body that are not in good shape to remove impurities, and then throw them into the river or sea. This act of "letting go" is later associated with wish-fulfillment, and is sometimes linked to theTanabata Festival held at the same time, when tanzaku (short strips of paper) are leaked. The burning of dolls, strips of paper, and bamboo is partly performed, but this is an event derived from Donton-yaki andEsoteric Buddhism, and is thought to have been mixed in withShinbutsu-shūgō.[citation needed]
Today's "Nagashi-bina [ja]" and "Tanabata-bina" are said to be remnants of Katashiro.[3]
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