tværpostet fra: https://feddit.dk/post/21614204

In Shinto [神道], we have the practice of setting up a home altar, called usually a “Kamidana” [神棚] to pray and express thanks to Kami-sama [神様] when we cannot worship at the shrine.

The Kamidana should be slightly above your eye level when you pray. Many pray standing up, so the Kamidana is often high up - but it should not be unreachable. Kamidana generally have a common set up with a Miyagata [宮形] (small shrine) on a Tanaita 棚板 and a full Shingu [神具] (offering vessels/sacred tools) set.

We usually place a Shinkyou [神鏡] (Sacred mirror) in front of the shrine. We also have the offering vessels - generally we are supposed to make offerings of rice, sake, salt, and water every day in the morning.

A Kamidana can also be accompanied by two items: the Shimenawa [しめ縄] rope, and the marker of [雲] Cloud or [天] Sky above the Kamidana where there is a 2nd floor. The Shimenawa marks the space as sacred, and the kanji saying Cloud or Sky protects spiritually and symbolically people on the upper floors from “stepping” on Kamisama. You can hand-make both items, but you can also buy them.

As mentioned before, the main purpose of a Kamidana is to direct our prayers to Kami-sama, and this is often done with an item called a “Yorishiro” [依代] or [憑代]　this term cannot be easily translated directly, but it generally means “Something resembling [the Kami]”, “A substitute for [the Kami’s sacred permanent body]”, the “sacred permanent divine body” in Shinto is called Goshintai [御神体].

A Yorishiro is an item that can call to a Kami-sama, and the Kami-sama can temporarily dwell in this object to be present before you, as you pray. After you finish praying, the Kami-sama leaves the Yorishiro and is no longer present.

Commonly, Yorishiro usually take the form of an item we call an “Ofuda" or “Sacred Tablet”.

The name of the shrine or Kami-sama is written on the Ofuda, and is marked with a red seal of the shrine to denote authenticity.

They must only be obtained at a shrine, or from a licensed priest, no exceptions.

Another one of these rules/guidelines is it’s generally said the Ofuda loses it’s power as a Yorishiro one year after acquiring it, so you must replace it every year, generally at New Years, and send the old ofuda back to a shrine to be ritually burned.

A Gohei is an older form of Yorishiro, based as a dedication of fibre and cloth to Kami-sama, before the Ofuda which is a concept introduced to Japan via China from Daoism.

You may make one for home worship as an item which may attract Kami-sama’s essence to you.

This should only be done if you absolutely under all circumstances cannot acquire an Ofuda for the Kami-sama you worship – no exceptions.

It is important to know that for both Gohei and Shide, it is not arts and crafts. They are sacred items you are making for Kami-sama.

Offerings at the home Kamidana are not meant to necessarily “feed” Kami-sama as they do not get physically hungry, nor are they “sacrifices” - they are presentations with a heart of appreciation towards Kami-sama for providing us with these blessings. Kami-sama enjoys the offering of foods as gifts and enjoy them in that manner rather than offering from necessity to them. We also enjoy a sense of gratitude and community via the offerings as well.

The general guideline is to make an offering of rice, salt, water, and sake every day at sunrise, and then take them down at sunset to eat /consume for dinner.

Then, on Special Festival Days (1st of the month, 15th, and 22nd~24th) you replace the fresh Sakaki branches/evergreen branches, and offer special items such as fruit, or desserts alongside the staple offerings.

After we offer food, we should consume it. The offered food is called Osagari or Tessen [撤饌] we receive it from Kami-sama blessed. If we eat it together with everyone, especially at shrines, this is called Naorai [直会] But if we can’t consume it right away, we can save it for later.

To pray, we should ideally be clean, in clean clothes for the day (no pajamas), and rinse our hands and mouth (Misogi) before praying. These are all symbolic actions that we do to approach Kamisama respectfully and in a manner to express sincerity.

When we want to offer something to Kami-sama, first rinse, dry, and prepare all the dishes. Place them on a tray. Fill the vessels with Offerings, careful not to breathe on them to be polite (using a mask is good). Then bring the tray to the altar, and place it before the shrine. Pray to Kami-sama and express your appreciation.