Hatsumoude

I went to shinto shrine for hatsumoude last Sunday.

'hatsumoude' is a Japanese word that means to visit shrine or temple for the first time in a year.

I prayed for the desires of this year there.

This shrine is Iseyamakoutai-jingu in Yokohama.

Before prying, we have to clean hands and mouth at this place.

Because we use hand and mouth for praying.

1) Hold a dipper by your right hand, and dip up water from watering place. Then clean your left hand by water.

2) Hold the dipper by your left hand, clean your right hand.

3) Hold the dipper by right hand again, and ladle water into your left hand. Then wash your mouth by water.

4) Clean your left hand again.

There were many people to pray there.

Here is the manner of praying.

1) Throw coins into the box.

2) Bow 2 times. 

3) Clap 2 times.

4) Pray for your desires.

5) Bow 1 time.

This is most general way of praying, but there is different way for each shrine.

Omamori was sold in the shrine.

Omamori is kind of amulet.

Omamori is in right side of this picture.

The wooden pieces in left side is called ema.

People write the desires on the ema, and tie it on the board.

After that I drew a omikuji.

Omikuji is a piece of paper that a fortune is written on.

 

I got 'daikichi' that means big luck.

On the omikuji, these things were written...

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It is a good luck time when the accumulation of your effort is grown and is becoming a big harvest. It is also the time when something you have done for others comes back for you, and your scene gradually changes to a happy situation.

And also a person who understands and helps you will appear. Let's endeavor to keep and not to lose this chance.

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I hope that this good luck is really in for me in this year.

After the omikuji is read, it is usually tied on a branch.

Ropes were placed there for omikuji.

People tied omikuji to this ropes.

But you have to do this only when you get bad fortune omikuji.

You can bring  back good fortune omikuji.

I bought a goheimochi and ate it.

Goheimochi is a baked mochi.  

It is put on a stick, and flavored with soy sauce miso.

It was very fine day. 

I didn't think it will be heavy snow next day.