Chinowa Kuguri - NINJA KOTAN

What is Matsuri (Japanese Cultural Festival)? (2): The Reason Why Matsuri Has Seasonality Understanding the Reason Behind the Seasonality of Matsuri (Japanese Festivals) Yesterday, I explained why Matsuri (Japanese festivals) are held only once a year. The timing of these festivals is determined by their purpose, often based on specific historical days related to the shrine. In this post, I will discuss the seasonality of Matsuri (Japanese festivals) and the reasons behind it. Reisai (annual festivals) are held at different times depending on the shrine, as each shrine has a unique historically significant day. For example, even among major shrines in Japan, the dates for Reisai are quite different: Examples of Reisai (Annual Festivals) Dates: Kasuga Taisha: March 13 Katori Shrine: April 14 Heian Shrine: April 15 Izumo Taisha: May 14 Kamo Shrine: May 15 Atsuta Shrine: June 5 Yasaka Shrine: June 15 Hikawa Shrine: August 1 Kashima Shrine: September 1 Dazaifu Tenmangu: September 25 Meiji Shrine: November 3 Exploring the Seasonal Significance and Reasons Behind the Diverse Dates of Reisai in Japan Why are the dates of these Reisai so different across Japan? This is because Japan has traditionally been an agricultural society, with a yearlyread moreWhat is Matsuri (Japanese Cultural Festival)? (2)

23Jun, 20242024年6月23日

Experience

What Is the Large Ring at Shinto Shrines in June?

By ninjakotan

What Is the Large Ring at Shinto Shrines in June? The Large Ring at Shinto Shrines in June: “Chinowa Kuguri” As June begins, large grass rings appear at Shinto shrines. Do you know what these large rings are? These rings are made of bundled chigaya grass and are used for the “Chinowa Kuguri” ritual. The ring’s diameter can be several meters. Chigaya is a grass that belongs to the Poaceae family, commonly found in sunny fields and mountains. “Chinowa Kuguri” is one of the rituals in Shintoism. It is performed during the “Nagoshi no Oharae” (Great Purification of Summer) to cleanse the sins and impurities accumulated from January to June. Some shrines also perform “Chinowa Kuguri” during the “Toshikoshi no Harae” (Year-End Purification) in December. Akagi Shrine in Kagurazaka, Tokyo, also conducts “Chinowa Kuguri” in December. How to Perform “Chinowa Kuguri” Stand in front of the “Chinowa” ring and bow lightly, then pass through the ring and walk around to the left, returning to the starting point. Bow lightly again, pass through the ring, and walk around to the right, returning to the starting point. Bow lightly again, pass through the ring, and walk around to the left,read moreWhat Is the Large Ring at Shinto Shrines in June?