The Least Useful Guide to Fukuoka

Sorry for still sticking to New Year mood…

I found very educational article about how to do a “proper” hatsumode (a New Year visit to shrines, or the first shrine visit of the year)in a local free paper for housewives, which usually deals with information about all-you-can-eat-restaurants and other housewife things.  The article taught me a lot and made me blush for my ignorance. I hastened to do a bootleg translation to share the surprise with you.

Shrine-Visit Protocol

1.       Don’t step on the threshold sill.

At the gate of shrines, take a light bow (an angle of  15°), then pass under the gate.

When passing the gate, go from the front striding over the sill of the gate, don’t step onto it.

2.       Don’t walk the centre of the approach—it’s for the deities

Walk on the right or left side of the approach to the shrine buildings. The centre part should be kept for the deities.

3.       Before praying, never forget to purify yourself

How to purify yourself:

-          You will find a ladle at a small fountain in the site. Take the ladle and hold it vertically (the scooping part at the head), and wash it with the flowing water.

-          Then, with the washed ladle, rinse your left hand and then right hand.

-          Using the ladle, rinse your mouth with water (if you prefer, take water onto your left palm from the ladle and rinse)

-          Finally, hold the ladle in a standing position, rinse it with the flowing water, then put the ladle back where it was.

4.       Offetory is a sign of your gratitude to the deity

When you reach in front of the main building, take a light bow.

Keep it in your mind that your Osaisen (basically some changes you are supposed to throw into a box in front of the main building ) is what you show to the deity of the shrine that you are thankful to be allowed to pray to pray to him (or her).

5.       The bell is for removing your impurities with its sounds

In order to make good sounds with the bell hang in front of the main building, you need to hold the rope connected to the bell, give it a little lift so that the rope gets slackened, and then pull the rope downward. You should ring the bell between once and three times. Note: It is also said that you ring the bell to notify the deity of your visit.

6.       Two bows, two claps, and a deep bow

Finally, you are allowed to pray. Take two light bows, clap twice making your right hand slightly lower than the left (some shrines require four claps).

 Make a deep bow (about 90° ) if you can, then pray.

After finishing your prayers, take a light bow and leave the building.

Note: You should pray something beyond your capacity, for example, “I will make efforts to xxx, so please hear my prayer for ZZZZ.” …Probably “getting along with my husband” is not a thing to pray, but “getting a job” should be OK under the current situation.

…looks complicated?  Difficult to follow?  Take it easy!  I have never seen anyone following the shrine- visit protocol properly, and people around you are too busy praying for themselves to pay attention to you!