This is my current Kamidana.
Kamidana is a small Shinto shrine for each household.
Nature gods of my neighborhood visit my table before dawn and protect the area.
It is not a fairly story.
To be a good host,you have to change water every morning.
(Please use distilled water if you can)
The routine work for Kamidana means a lot.
Well cared Kamidana is effective for area protection and regional revitalization.
Also,it keeps crimes away.
Un-cared Kamidana is not effective at all.
I can say the same thing about Japanese shinto shrine.
Good shrines are created by routine cleaning.
Nature gods say that most important person for Shinto shrine is cleaning person not a priest.(As an extreme logic)
Please always clean your room and house it become a sacred training.
Japanese people are always cleaning.
I've been looking for substitute plants for Kamidana.
In Japan,Kamidana needs Sakaki plant but I am in US.
Sakaki
Example:Kamidana with Sakaki
Finally,I found good plants that I can buy regularly.
It is Eucalyptus.
I bought it at Trader Joe's.($2.99 for a bunch)
I think one bunch is enough at least for 10 days in winter season.
As long as they are fresh,you can keep using them.
If you find the plants looks tired,change them as soon as possible.
I hope Trader Joe's sells this plant all the year round.
Or,you can use other plants look like Sakaki.
You don't have to buy plaints if you can get plants from your garden.
You don't have to buy plaints if you can get plants from your garden.
Requirements for Kamidana plants are
2,Prickle,Thorn... not soft leaf anyway.
3,Tough stem.You need to use scissors to cut it.
(Do not use soft stem and soft leaf plants)
In addition,the best plants is local plants where you live.
To respect your local nature gods.
Potted plants are not appropriate because you can't change water.
But if you want to try kamidana as beginner,please use a pair of cactus or succulents.
I know you will going to get better plants sooner or later.
A pair of plant vases and one small water bowl mean "A forest".
Vases and water bowl's color must be white or clear.
You need to wash vases and bowl,and change water every day.
Distilled water is ideal for Kamidana and your drinking water.
It is not fairy story.
Distilled water is ideal for Kamidana and your drinking water.
Please pour water into water bowl fully like this.↑
Nature fairy gods use fresh and clean water to protect your neighborhood.It is not fairy story.
Wood shelf is better than metal one.
If you use metal shelf,please put wood plate or cutting board unter the items.
Don't put other items on your Kamidana.
Some Japanese people put extra goods on Kamidana.
Shimenawa rope,Salt,Mirrot,Incorrect Ofuda(Paper amulet of shrine) and so on.
Do not put meaningless things on Kamidana.
In case you are living in Japan,please buy correct three kinds of Ofuda by yourself
and you need to return them to shrine within 1 year.
Don't buy Ofuda at internet shops.It is inappropriate business.
Ofuda is condensation of shrine's sacred air and connect between house and the three shrines.
However, most important thing in Kamidana is a pair of plants and water bowl.Not Ofuda.
Many Japanese people just buy Ofuda without routine work.
It is not effective.
It is not effective.
And then,Kamidana and Butsudan(Table for ancestors) are one set.Not divided.
Kamidana table is put higher than Butsudan.
Please put tables in calm and clean place in your house.
In Japanese traditional house,
Postscript
Today,I found another Eucalyptus at Trader joe's.
This is also good because it has many thick leaves.
But scent is weaker than small leaf type.
$2.99
Kamidana ritual How to do(Detail)
(Wash your hands and rince your mouth before the ritual)
1,Clean the floor around Kamidana
2,Sit straight slight right or left side of Kamidana
(Don't sit just in front of Kamidana.Because middle front is for nature gods)
3,Bow ritual (2 bow,2 clap,1 bow again)
4,Withdraw vases and water bowl
5,Wash vases,water bowl and Plant's stems
6,Pour water into vases and bowl
7,Put them on Kamidana again
8,Bow ritual again
(Caution.Please do not breathe over water of bowl.
Keep the items out of your breath as much as possible)
Kamidana's Ofuda is surely needed to be burned at shrine after use
because Ofuda is Shinto shrine's power itself. (Condensed raw air of shrine)
We need to return it to shrine for eternal circulation.
Also,you can buy New Year ornaments on internet shops,
but do not buy Ofuda on internet.
You need to visit shrine and buy Ofuda by yourself.
This is a basic rule of Shinto.
Your real visit will connect your Kamidana table and shrines directly by Ofuda.
There are invisible line between each house's Kamidana and shrines.
These network protects whole Japan.
Ofuda is not a ornament.
Don't buy it on Internet shop.