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[[File:Masakaki.jpg|thumb|Masakaki at [[Yasaka Shrine]]]]
'''Masakaki''' (真榊) is an object used in [[Shinto]] rituals. It is put on both sides of a table where the event takes place. Masakaki is made with branches of a tree called [[Sakaki]]. These branches are attached to the top of colorful cloth banners. The banners are in five colors - green, yellow, red, white, and blue.<ref name="
Special treasures are hung on these branches. On the left side, a sword is hung. On the right side, a mirror and a special bead are hung. Sometimes, people call the whole setup with a special name, Masakaki-dai.<ref name="
The idea of Masakaki comes from old Japanese stories about gods. It is also written about in old history books. A long time ago, when a new emperor named [[Emperor Meiji|Meiji]] started ruling, Masakaki was used to decorate [[Shinto shrines]] in many places in Japan. At [[Izumo-taisha|Izumo Taisha]], they put long branches on sticks. On the right side branch, they hang a gem, mirror, and colorful cloth. On the left side branch, they hang a sword and colorful cloth.<ref name="
The five colors of the cloth stand for the {{Ill|five elements|en|wuxing (Chinese philosophy)}}. These elements are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. At funerals, Masakaki with yellow and white banners is used.<ref name="
== References ==
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