⛩️ Kuronuma Shrine: Nagoshi-no-Harae Festival Guide (Extra Edition)

Hello everyone!
I am reporting from Kuronuma Shrine, where the loud chorus of cicadas echoes under the hot, hot summer sun.
I am Seiko Nagasaka, a Seima (hemp) artist.

Kuronuma Shrine's "Nagoshi-no-Harae" (Summer Purification Festival) is a time-honored Great Purification ritual based on the Heian-period Yin-Yang Five Elements.
On the day of the festival, five-colored shimenawa (sacred ropes) are strung across the shrine grounds, enveloping the area in a special prayer.
　

💡 The unique "style" of the crown at Kuronuma Shrine
The "Red and White Crown" to purify the impurities of the whole family
It is customary to wear a crown adorned with red and white shimenawa. Originally, "men wore white and women wore red," but the style at Kuronuma Shrine is a bit different. Believe it or not, everyone wears one for every member of the family! 🤭
"One for Dad, one for Grandma, one for the bride, one for the children..."
It is like a Great Purification prayer, cleansing the impurities of the entire family and praying for their protection.
(Though the meaning is a little different 🤭)
That is how it feels.
Such a warm scene unfolds before us ✨✨
By wearing this crown from your head down to your shoulders, it is said that you have also "passed through the Chinowa (grass ring)."

The "Chinowa-kuguri" (passing through the grass ring) that changes with the times
In my grandfather's day, the grass ring was set up on the pillars of the shrine building, but now it is a style where you walk in a "figure-eight" pattern.
From around 1:00 PM on the day of the festival, we will follow the head priest around the shrine grounds. Please join us in walking, and let's purify our minds and bodies together!

The "Story of Rebirth" hidden in the five-colored paper streamers (shide)
The summer shimenawa at Kuronuma Shrine are made of "suge" (sedge). The five-colored paper streamers hanging from them carry a deep meaning that has been passed down from the south to the north since ancient times.

【A gradient representing the cycle of the seasons】
Red 🟥: Symbol of summer
Blue-White 🟦🤍: Alternating blue and white, expressing the freshness before the leaves turn into a lush green
White-Blue 🤍🟦: Alternating white and blue, expressing the fading of the green as we head toward autumn
Yellow 🟡: Centered on the Doyo period, signifying the rebirth of the seasons
Black 🖤: Symbol of winter
By contrasting the "red" of summer with the "black" of winter, it signifies circulation and rebirth... No matter how you look at it, Kuronuma Shrine is filled with deep rituals of "purification and rebirth."

💧 "Hitogata" (paper dolls) that act as your surrogate

While the shape of Hitogata varies by region, at Kuronuma Shrine, the Hitogata we receive are blessed at the Abukuma River and then released into the water. (The sight of them gently disappearing into the water is very mystical.)
1. Write your name and age on the Hitogata.
2. Rub your body with it, starting from your head, to transfer your impurities (be especially thorough on areas that hurt or bother you!)
3. Finally, give it a gentle puff of breath 💨
With this, the impurities and fatigue of the first half of the year are cleanly reset.

🍚(Goku) Receiving the divine energy!

One thing you must not forget is,
after the purification, let's take it in!
There is something to receive from the gods.
It is the "God's Rice" 🍚 cooked in the Shinmei Well ✨✨✨
At Kuronuma Shrine, we call it "Goku."
It is, so to speak, the sacred grain, the five grains.
Please receive the divine energy and have a healthy summer.

There is also plenty of lively fun to be had!
After you have been thoroughly purified,
it is time for fun!!
We have prepared various stalls so that everyone can cool off.
🚚 Food truck stalls
🎨 Workshops & experience booths
🛍️ Handmade market
🍉 Unique to the lunar calendar's Nagoshi: Watermelon smashing contest
Rain or shine, we will go ahead!! ☔✨
Let's gather together and spend a wonderfully comfortable moment of summer rebirth.
We are waiting for you at the shrine grounds!
That is all for this extra edition 😊🙏✨

If you would like to know more about the ☀️ Nagoshi-no-Harae Festival,
please check the official Kuronuma Shrine Instagram account 🙏
Thank you for reading.

Kanazawa Kuronuma Shrine
Seiko Nagasaka's Seima Musubi
I will bring you the continuation, the 11th installment, next week 🌿