In Japan, You Can Purify Your Sins, Misdeeds Committed For the First Half of The Year. #夏越の祓 #鹿児島神宮

In Japan, You Can Purify Your Sins, Misdeeds Committed For the First Half of The Year. #夏越の祓 #鹿児島神宮

Nagoshi no Harae (夏越の祓), also known as the Great Purification of Summer, is an important Shinto ritual performed annually across Japan on June 30th. Its purpose is to cleanse people of the sins and impurities accumulated during the first half of the year and to pray for good health and protection from misfortune for the remaining six months.

Key Aspects of Nagoshi no Harae:

Chinowa-kuguri (茅の輪くぐり): This is the most iconic part of the ritual. A large ring, known as a chinowa, woven from chigaya (cogon grass or reeds) is set up at the shrine. Worshippers pass through this ring, often in a figure-eight pattern, to purify themselves. This practice is rooted in an ancient legend where the god Susanoo no Mikoto taught a poor man, Somin Shōrai, to wear a reed ring to protect himself and his descendants from plague.

Hitogata (人形): Paper dolls in the shape of people (hitogata) are often used. Participants write their names and ages on these dolls, rub them over their bodies, or blow on them to transfer their impurities. These hitogata are then typically left at the shrine to be purified by fire or floated down a river, symbolically carrying away the accumulated bad luck.

Prayer and Offerings: Shinto priests lead prayers and perform rituals to formally cleanse the participants. Offerings may also be made.

Kagoshima Shrine (鹿児島神宮), located in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, observes the Nagoshi no Harae. The ceremony at Kagoshima Shrine is typically held on June 30th at 4:00 PM

#japaneseculture #spirituality #exorcism #traveljapan