"Nagoshi no Harae" & "Chinowa Kuguri" - It's not too late! Start the second half of the year feeling refreshed!

Hello.
This is Eiren, your modern-day Oshi, here again today.

Before I knew it, July has arrived!
Another year going by "so fast!"...

I've been in a bit of a hiatus mode for a while.
But I would like to start up again.
Thank you for your continued support.

Now then!
As many of you may already know,
yesterday, June 30th, was the day for what is known in Shinto as the
"Nagoshi no Harae" (Summer Purification) ritual.

*There are two purification rituals per year.
The other one is the O-harae on December 31st, New Year's Eve.

What is the "Nagoshi no O-harae"?

June 30th is the day of "Nagoshi no Harae."

It is said to be a day to purify the sins and impurities
that have accumulated during the first half of the year.

Many of you may have seen
a large grass ring (Chinowa) set up
in front of the main hall or worship hall at shrines.

It is a ritual where you pass through that ring
to "purify your impurities."

Sometimes, at the shrine office or similar places,
there are paper cutouts in the shape of a person
called "Katashiro" (effigies).

In a sense, feeling as if they are your substitute,
you write your name, date of birth, and age
(this varies by shrine) on them,

rub the Katashiro against your shoulders, chest,
or any parts of your body that are bothering you,
and finally, breathe on it three times
before offering it.

My family went to our local shrine, but
there is also a shrine in the countryside that we ask every year,
and they send us the Katashiro by mail.

We prepare for the purification at home,
and send it back in time for the ritual.

Since it is far away, I am rarely there in person,
but by mailing it, I feel like I am

sharing my thoughts from afar,and I spend that time feeling somewhat solemn.

The Waka poem to recite during "Chinowa Kuguri"

By the way, there is a Waka poem
that is good to recite when passing through the Chinowa.

There are basic manners for passing through the Chinowa,
but they may differ depending on the shrine.
The method is usually written down, so please try passing through
according to the way of the shrine you visit. (^^)/

It's okay if you couldn't go on June 30th!

For those who couldn't make it by June 30th,
don't worry!

At many shrines,the Chinowa is left out until about the first week of July
.
Please try to visit by then.

Let's spend the second half of this year
with a refreshed feeling!

I also post on stand fm!

Actually, I talk about shrines on stand fm from time to time.
If you'd like, check it out here.

Well then, I haven't updated for a while, but
I would like to start again.
Please bear with me patiently. (^^)/

Thank you for reading until the end.

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