| relig. |
A 'human likeness', in the Heian period presented each month by the Onmyoryo to the emperor who would rub his body on it to transfer his defilement. The hitogata would then be thrown in a river by onmyoshi. Hitogata may also be used in setsubun rites to exorcise evil influences. It is one way of transferring impurity from one's person by touch, to an object which is then ritually destroyed. In o-harai ceremonies a piece of cloth may be used for this purpose A Popular Dictionary of Shinto (Brian Bocking) |
