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| Japan New Years Day Traditional Visit to Shrines |
The beginning of another year is set for Japan as people marched through shrines on the first day of the year.
Hatsumode ,the first visit of shrines starts from the first day of the year until the second week. The main place of worship for the
Kami Amaterasu is at
Ise Jingu.
One of the routes of the O-Ise O Mairi is Kumano Hongu Taisha, as what I mentioned
here, one of the 33 shrines to be visited is Kumano Taisha and by trudging the routes of
Kumano Kodo, pilgrims believed that they are going to heaven once they fulfill the marks and completed it during their lifetime.
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| O mikuji - written fortunes tied on a tree/wood by people who wish to make them come true or cast away bad fortune |
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| The basin for cleaning before entering the temple/shrine |
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| The beauty and atmosphere with the cottonlike slight snow makes it perfect |
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| Warming up |
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Worshippers lining up for the O mairi(prayer)
The coldness and snow was not an issue with the people lining up for their turn to worship. O mamori (amulets) also are being sold inside and for different aspects; business, health, or marriage. The stone stairs to the main altar took us awhile to reach the top because of the thick line of people. But it was a nice experience to be able to climb through with the whole family.
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