Inaw

Inaw/Inau, important ritual items of the Ainu faith which perform a similar function to the Onusa/Nusa in Japanese Shinto. These are thought to be the predecessors of the Nusa. With spirally folded paper standing in for the curled wood shavings. Both items are used like Bessoms in western Pagan traditions, to sweep away the negative energies or essences... except that the Eastern variants are waved in the air rather than actually swept against the floor or an altar...