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Omikuji
Also called mikuji, a form of divination by lots used to make decisions or determine the fortune of an undertaking. The term kuji suggests two meanings, one being the use of random chance to render an impartial verdict, and the second involving a querying of the divine will in cases where a decision of the kami is thought required. It is this latter sense that the term mikuji refers to, a type of divination carried out when knowledge of the divine will is felt necessary in order to reach a judgment on a pending question, a determination of auspiciousness or inauspiciousness, good or evil, or the choice of persons to succeed to the headship of a business or household. Many methods of kuji are used, but one used in ancient times involved writing possible outcomes or names on twisted pieces of paper (hineribumi), praying over these, and then choosing one. This method is used even today in provincial festivals when selecting the person to be in charge (tōnin) or other religious roles for the coming year; in such cases, names of candidates are written on pieces of paper and the choice determined by waving a ritual wand (gohei) over them; the name on the paper that adheres to the gohei is thought to have been selected by the divine will. One method used for divining personal fortunes involves drawing straws or thin sticks from a cylinder and then receiving a printed fortune or poem corresponding to a cypher printed on the stick. This is the type of mikuji found most commonly today at shrines and elsewhere.

Ōnusa
An honorific for the more common nusa, a ritual purification wand. Wands presented when invoking the kami or when exorcising sins or imperfections (tsumi) were called nusa, and made primarily from the inner bast of paper mulberry (yū), fibers of flax (asa), and later, from woven fabrics and paper. In his Kojikiden, Motoori Norinaga defined ōnusa as divine offerings of silk, yū, or flax. One ancient usage can be seen in Kojiki's record of Emperor Chūai, in which an ōnusa was used in the Great Ceremony of Purification (ōharae). Ōnusa used in purification may be made of linen or paper streamers (shide) attached to a branch of the sakaki tree, or the streamers may be attached to a hexagonal or octagonal staff of unfinished wood (the latter type is also called haraegushi). In ancient times, a person to be purified took the ōnusa by hand in order to transfer sins (tsumi) and pollutions (kegare) to it, or the ōnusa was waved (left, right, left) over the object to be purified. In later times, however, the practice of waving the ōnusa over the person or object was universally adopted. See also heihaku.

Torii
A formalized gateway arch signifying entrance to a sacred area. Shrines may have one or multiple torii. When multiple torii are present, the largest one is normally called the "first torii" (ichi no torii), and stands at the approachway indicating entry to the overall shrine region. Torii may also be found at various points within the precincts to indicate increasing levels of holiness as one approaches the main sanctuary (honden). A torii is usually formed from two upright posts topped by a horizontal kasagi (cap beam) that extends beyond the uprights on either side; beneath the kasagi a horizontal tie beam (nuki) is mortised through the uprights and links them together. Based on this elemental form, a variety of formal styles are found at shrines, depending on the overall style of shrine architecture employed and the character of the central deity (saijin) enshrined there.

In addition to those found as independently standing architectural elements, torii may be found as integral parts of sacred fences (tamagaki) and incorporated into the entrances of arcades encircling some shrine structures.

The most common construction materials used are wood and stone, but no particular restriction is imposed, and depending on the scale and application, metal, concrete, plastic and other materials may be used.

The origin of torii has been explained by numerous theories; some claim that they are indigenous to Japan, while others view them as having being imported from abroad. No single theory has gained general acceptance. Likewise, no general theory has been accepted regarding the origin of the word torii. Some theories suggest the term came from expressions signifying something like a "bird perch" (tori-iyasu or tori-ita), while other theories have suggested that the name originated in the expression "pass through and enter" (tori-iru). At any rate, based on their actual present-day function, they can be considered an expression of the division between profane and sacred realms. They are found not only at shrines but at Buddhist temples as well, for example in the famous stone torii of the temple Shitennōji (in Osaka); as signified by their use as a map symbol, however, they are generally considered to signify the presence of a Shinto shrine.

FIRST LIST OF IMPORTANT KAMI

*embarassed* I understand that we believe in different things. I'm Catholic and I really do think that my God forgives me whenever I do anything wrong and always loves me nomatter what. Kindof like parents, they may not like what you do but they still love you. To me God is my other wordly Father. To hear that your gods do not forgive people all the time, and that they only forgive them if they want to doesn't seem fair. sorry I just wanted to say something please dont get mad at "us Catholics" sweatdrop sweatdrop

Welcome fellow Catholic!!
And Aiko, I don't see where Ichigo would feel any superiority. She just stated that it would be hard for her to understand the way of the shinto. You may say that's because she is not japanese, so she could not understand. But that's no reason to jump at her. She was just stating an opinion.

woah, Aiko. calm down... sweatdrop

anyway, wow....Shinto really is pretty interesting! surprised i'm so fascinated.