Would You Like To Clear Away Bad Lucks From Your Body And Soul?

It's June 30th today, so we can say that the first half of this year 2016 is coming to an end. In Japanese traditional custom, we have cleansing rituals at the end of a half year and a whole year. We can see special events/items for this custom at some of the Japanese Shinto shrines.

The photos are taken at Koyasu Shrine in Hachioji city, Tokyo. It is one of the local shrines in the area and known as a shrine that gives blessings for matchmaking, having babies, and safe births. Right after the entrance, there is a hanging board to present "Ema" (votive wooden tablets for wishes) to find a good partner. The pink tablets are for women/girls and the green tablets are for men/boys. 

Today, on June 30th, annual "Cleanse Ceremony For The Half Year" was held at the shrine and a big circle made by a thick straw rope was places in front of the shrine building for the ceremony. This circle is a special item to cleanse people's body and soul. When visitors walk through the circle three times making an "8" shape tilted 90 degree as you can see in the lower center photo, their body and soul would get cleaned.

On the right hand side of the circle, there is a note on a board that reads "Those who practice this cleansing ritual in June can extend their lives". 

Even if you missed this ritual today, don't worry! You can still go to the annual cleanse ritual for 2016 on December 31st!

To read another post related to the Koyasu Shrine in Hachioji city, please click here!