At this time of year, several Shinto shrines place a ring made from cogon grass in front of the shrine building. This ring is called chinowa (茅の輪) and is used for Nagoshi no Harae (夏越の祓), a summer purification ritual aimed at cleansing the misdeeds of the first half of the year. The ritual involves a practice called chinowa kuguri (茅の輪くぐり), where participants walk beneath the chinowa.
Steps for chinowa kuguri:
- Bow once toward the chinowa. Pass under the chinowa and turn left, moving counterclockwise.
- Stand in front of the chinowa, pass under it again, and turn right, moving clockwise.
- Stand in front of the chinowa, pass under it again, and turn left, moving counter clockwise.
- Return to the front of the chinowa, pass under it once more, and go straight ahead.
Today, Nagoshi no Harae was held at the Shinto shrines of
Tsurumine Hachimangu and
Dairokuten Jinja in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.
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Chinowa at Tsurumine Hachimangu
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Minatsuki no O-harae held at Tsurumine Hachimangu
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Chinowa Kuguri at Tsurumine Hachimangu
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At Tsurumine Hachimangu, the ritual is referred to as Minatsuki no O-harae (水無月の大祓).
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Chinowa at Dairokuten Jinja
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Nagoshi no Harae at Dairokuten Jinja
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Chinowa Kuguri at Dairokuten Jinja
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