About Katashiro

A Katashiro is a kind of Yorishiro in which a Godly Spirit takes refuge. 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. During Hinamatsuri in March, people used these dolls to stroke the parts of their bodies that were not in good shape, and then cast them into the river or sea to pray for the growth of their children.