How to pass through Chinowa ring.
Chinowa-kuguri(茅の輪くぐり) is Shinto’s annual custom of purification usually held on June 30(some are in sometime in June). It is part of Nagoshi-no-harae” (夏越しの祓え), or summer purification ceremony. Chinowa means “ring of cogon grass” and kuguri means “passing through”. Nagoshi means “over summer” and harae means “purification”. The idea is “Just half a year has passed since a New Year’s Day. Our bodies are gradually polluted by the daily evils. So we want to cleanse our bodies to greet next half a year with good health.” Traditional way to feel refresh before hot summer. The ring remains usually till July. If you visit the shrines during this season, you might find […]