In Ainu culture, or ( or ) is a ritual wood-shaving stick used in prayers to the spiritual world. They were used in most Ainu religious rituals and were also frequently made to request assistance for hunting and childbirth. Some can be used multiple times, while others are destroyed immediately after one use. Their size and the direction in which they are shaved depends on which (spiritual being) it is offered to and what is being requested.
The word appears to be a loanword from other languages in the region, probably the Tungusic Orok language of Sakhalin ( from earlier ). It is most likely ultimately related to the Manchu terms (, 'to blossom') and (, 'flower'). The Nivkh word or is most likely a loanword from the same Tungusic source via Ainu; both Tungusic languages and Nivkh have an sound, which the Ainu language lacks, so the replacement of with is probably an artifact of Ainu phonology.
To make , the bark of a branch is first peeled and then a knife called an is repeatedly used to shave the wood into thin curled strips that form a tuft. are usually anywhere from to in length. There are several different types of , all with different variations in length and thickness depending on purpose. Certain types of wood were also used depending on the purpose. Willow was exclusively used for offerings to good , and is preferred for this purpose, although a few other woods could be used if necessary. These tend to be about long. Conversely, made to repel illnesses and evil spirits (called ) were typically made from alder, and are usually around long. Some also have wings attached to them, although it is unclear exactly what function they served. The number of wings varies by region; Ainu from southern Hokkaido typically made them with nine wings, while further north they were made with six or seven. also have shavings attached to them. Most point upwards, although or ( or , literally 'the thing shaven backward') have them pointed downward, making them very distinct from other . In addition, certain kinds of â such as Chikube-ni â are equipped with spears.
With the exception of funerals, for which they were never made, were an important part of rituals involving . Because only men were permitted to participate in religious rituals besides the bear ceremony, only men could make . Before building a house, four and one were placed where the hearth was to be built. Every Ainu house had on the hearth in honor of Kamuy Fuchi (known in Sakhalin Ainu as Unci Kamuy), and during Ainu housewarming ceremonies, three to four additional were typically placed on the hearth. were also made to requests assistance from progressively more powerful during exorcism rituals and difficult childbirths.
In addition to personal use, were also used in larger ceremonies. Ainu bear ceremonies featured a large number of , of all different kinds. Certain elders, known as , would also use in ceremonies to control the weather. were also used by hunters both before and during a hunt to bring good luck.
made for curing diseases were dismantled immediately after their purpose was served. Keeping them for any longer than was absolutely necessary was considered extremely dangerous, and it was thought they could cause a great deal of harm to the person who made them. Conversely, made to more benevolent were not so quickly destroyed.