taima

In Shintō, the Japanese religion, taima refers to an inscribed board from the main Shintō shrine at Ise. This board represents a universal kami, which is a deity or sacred power. The taima is a central object of veneration displayed on a kamidana, a miniature shrine found in households or shops. These shrines are the focal point of daily worship, where offerings and prayers are made for blessings. The concept of tsumi, a state of defilement or impurity, is also significant in Shintō. It can result from criminal acts, contact with blood or death, or even natural disasters. Shintō emphasizes purification rituals to restore a state of purity.12