Nagoshi no Harae
夏越の祓
Summer Purification Ritual

On June 30　or the last day of the sixth month according to the lunar calendar,
many shrines hold a great purification ritual.
That is called nagoshi-ho-harae,
(lit.Summer passing purification ceremony).
People pass through the gate made of reed three times like a sign of infinity ∞. (left, right and left)

=> Chinowa Kuguri


<The origin of Nagoshi no harae>

On the way of traveling, Susanoo-no-mikoto (one of gods) asked Kotan Shorai, a rich man, to be fixed him up for the night. but he refused.
Then he asked his elder brother Somin Shorai. He fixed him up and gave him the full treatment, though he was poor.
Few years after, Susanoo visited Somin Shorai again and told him to have a ring made of reed.
That night all the people were killed by disease except Somin's family that put reed rings.
If any disease sets in, say "I am a descendant of Somin Shorai" and keep reed rings,
then you will be able to escape transmission".



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