Today — the last day of the 6th lunar month,
The Summer Purification Rites are held at many shrines in Kyoto.
This change of the month from June to July is the timing that a half year just passed. And only in this season, you will see this ring — like the picture above — at many shrines. The ring which is called “Chi-no-wa” in Japanese and made from “cogon grass”, is for a traditional seasonal ritual wishing to be in good health. If you pass through the ring of fresh and clean grasses, you will be free from illness and overcome the heat of summer.
How to pass through the ring.
There is a certain way to pass through the ring — It is instructed to pass through the ring three times in the official way.
At many shrines,
they show how like this picture right.
- First make a bow to the ring. And Go through and round counterclockwise the ring
- Bow again. At second time, Go through and round clockwise the ring.
- Bow again. Pass through the ring straight away.
