Nagoshi no Harae｜夏越の祓

Traditionally performed on the last day of the sixth month, Nagoshi no Harae ("the Purification Ritual of Summer's Passing") allows people to cleanse themselves of misdeeds committed in the first half of the year and to pray for the latter half yet to come.

In order to participate you can join in on June 30^th when the priest of a shrine leads a large crowd in the practice, or you can try it by yourself. Bow, pass through the ring and circle back to the front from the left, pass through again to the right, then pass through one last time while reflecting on your year.

One explanation for the origin of this ritual comes from an ancient Japanese legend that tells the story of the wandering god Susano'o no Mikoto. One Somin Shōrai, despite being poor, showed the disguised god Susano'o every luxury he could afford when asked for a place to stay the night. In return, Susano'o gave Somin a ring woven from reeds and instructed him to wear it, which then allowed Somin and his descendants to escape plague and illness. Because of this, passing through the large Nagoshi no Harae reed ring is believed to ward off disaster and misfortune.

The seasonal sweet minazuki, a type of steamed cake topped with azuki beans, is often sold during the ritual period.  Many shrines hold purification rituals on this day, but in Kyoto some of the more famous are listed below.