BUNREI

Divided spirit, fraction of a spirit. A ceremony to divide and then install the bunrei of the kami of a main shrine is the normal means by which a branch shrine (bunsha) is established and empowered. The rei ormitamaof the kami is not diminished in any way by this 'division'. Famous shrines may distribute thousands of bunrei over time, to establish new shrines or enhance the power of existing ones. TheIwashimizu-Hachimanguis reputed to have distributed 30,000 bunrei, theUsa Hachimangu15,000 and theSuwa Taishaover 10,000.O-fudafunction in a similar way to bun-rei but are intended for the homekamidanawhich does not have the status of a recognised shrine.