IMIKOTOBA

Tabooed words (some because they are related to Buddhism) which should not be employed during rituals for the kami, particularly at theIse jingu. Substitute words used instead include nakako for butsu (Buddha); somekami for kyo (Buddhist sutra) and kawarafuki for ji or tera (Buddhist temple). Non-Buddhist tabooed terms include naoru for shi (death); yasumi for byo, illness; ase for ketsu, blood and kusahira for shishi, meat.