As well as passing through chinowa, in some areas people would purify themselves against disease by transferring 'impurities' onto a proxy that was floated away on a river or the sea.
There are records of domestic animals also being included in these (often entertaining) rites!
Nagoshi-no-harae (夏越の祓) first appeared in the Nara period, 1 of 2 purification ceremonies performed each year by shrines and at the imperial court.
The Ōnin War (1467-77) ended these traditions within the palace, and over time the 12th month purification slowly disappeared.
Kotan's poor brother, Somin Shōrai (蘇民将来), overheard the conversation and offered his own bed to the stranger.
Years later Susanoo saved Somin's family from a plague ravaging the country, instructing them to wear rings of reed.
Those not wearing the rings were struck down!💀
The summer purification ritual 'chinowa-kuguri' (茅の輪くぐり) and the 'chimaki' amulets evolved from the same legend...both concerned with protecting oneself against disease and misfortune.
The giant rings and smaller amulets are created from miscanthus grass.
#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #夏越の祓 #summerpurification #nagoshinoharae #chinowa #茅の輪
How to use the chinowa-kuguri (茅の輪くぐり)👣...
🙇♂️1) bow
🔄2) pass through the ring and circle round to the left
🔃3) pass through and circle round to the right
🔄4) pass through and circle to the left again
⬆️5) pass through and proceed to the shrine to pray🙏
#Japan #茅の輪 #Kyoto #chinowa #summerpurification #purification #Hiranojinja #平野神社
The appearance of chinowa (茅の輪) herald 'Nagoshi-no-harae' (夏越の祓), a summer purification rite traditionally held on the last day of the 6th lunar month.
On June 30th many shrines, such as Kitano Tenmangū (北野天満宮), hold special services.
Camellia Tea Ceremony