Shimenawa (標縄・注連縄・七五三縄) is an enclosing rice straw rope often seen in Japanese shines, temples and ceremonial events.  They are varies in length and diameter and sometimes festooned with Shide (紙垂, 四手)

 

Shimenawa are also used around yorishiro  (依り代) which is believed to be capable of attracting and inhabiting spirits.  Cutting down trees or other objects decorated with yorishiro is believed to be bringing misfortune.

 

Shimenawa are also seen in Sumo wrestling by yokozuna 横綱 (grand champions) because yokozuna is believed to be living yorishiro.