物事 [ ものごと / monogoto ] — things; everything

The Japanese have a very different attitude towards the monogoto in their life, than Americans. Notably when those things have outlived their useful life.

Americans with their abundant resources and "planned" obsolescence are ready to just causually discard them into the local landfill or ship them off to the incinerator.

The Japanese, on the other hand, with a large population, limited resources and usable land haven't had the luxury of throwing stuff away.

Instead they make the most of what they have and developed the habit of recycling, reusing, and adapting for a new use.

This combined with the idea that the kami are literally in everything, makes "things" precious and thus worthy of respect.

This especially applies to anything a person uses; be it tools, clothing, utensils, or even toys.

So there are shrines dedicated to them, and those shrines have rituals to retire these items. They're remembered and thanked for their years of service. Then they're ritually destroyed; usually in fire.

Although I must admit I find the shrines to old dolls a bit creepy… all those empty eyes staring at you.