Mid-Year Purification:
Nagoshi no Ō Harahi
We are now approaching Nagoshi no Ō Harahi 夏越の大祓 which is the second most important ceremony of the year. Held this year on June 29, it is an opportunity to purify one’s self and to sweep away all the impurities and negative energy (tsumi/kegare) acquired during the first half of the year.
This sets us up for a bright, renewed approach to the second half of the year.
This mid-year purification ritual originates from an ancient Japanese legend: Susanō no Mikoto (kami of the seas and storms, and younger brother of Amaterasu Ō Mi Kami) was wandering and needed a place to stay overnight. He was turned away by a wealthy villager, but a poor man named Somin Shorai welcomed him to stay and showed him great hospitality.
In gratitude, Susanō no Mikoto gave Somin Shorai a chinowa 茅の輪 wreath woven from reeds and told him to wear it for protection. Soon, a plague and illness fell upon the land, but Somin and his descendants escaped because of the miraculous protection from Susanō no Mikoto’s gift.
This event led to the practice of Nagoshi no Ō Harahi, a ceremony held at the end of the 6th month of the year.
Before the ceremony, each person receives a paper doll and transfers their tsumi 罪 and kegare 汚れ(impurities, negative ki, etc.) into the doll. The dolls are collected and placed in a reed boat (kaya fune茅舟).
The Nagoshi no O Harai ritual begins in the Haiden (prayer hall) with traditional prayers and purification. During the ceremony, the priest will scatter kirinusa 切麻,切幣 (small cut pieces of sacred rope and cloth) over all the participants to cleanse them of any remaining tsumi and kegare.
Next, everyone goes outside and walks through the large Nagoshi no O Harahi chinowa (reed ring) 3 times while chanting sacred words to ward-off disaster, receive purification, and be blessed with a long life.
After walking through the chinowa, we carry the kaya fune to the shoreline and cast the katashiro into the ocean where the kami will purify them and dispel all tsumi and kegare.
If you are a 奉 Friend of Matsuri, you have already received a katashiro by mail. For those of you attending the ceremony at the shrine, you will receive a katashiro when you arrive.
I hope you will join us!