Hatsumoude

The morning of Kyoto city, near Kyoto Imperial Palace

 Hatsumoude means "First visit to shrine or temple to pray for something" in Japanese. This is one of the most important Japanese custom of the New Year.

 From December 31's midnight to January 1's early morning, most of Japanese go out to shrine or temple for Hatsumoude. Despite the New Year day, trains are runnning all night in the meantime. Some train company permit to bring the sacred fire on a train only this time.

 There's one question. Which is right to visit shrine or temple for Hatsumoude? The answer is whichever is right. The difference of shrine and temple is what is deified.

 Shrine is the place where Gods (Japanese God) are deified. We have the confidence of "Yaorozu no kami" (eight million Gods) , this means that Gods are dwelling in the soil, water, air, everything. So we think that Gods are living in each shrines as a home.

 Temple is the place where the Buddha and the dead person is deified. And this is also the place of ascetic practices for a monk. To find a road of life, people visit a temple.

 From December 31's midnight to January 1's early morning, a big bell is rung in temple. It sounds 108 times. This is called "Jyoya no kane" in Japanese. This is the formality to remove an evil thoughts by ringing a bell 108 times for the New Year.

 

 

Mikane Shrine in Kyoto city

 I want to introduce an interesting shrine where "God of money" is deified in Kyoto city. This is "Mikane shrine". Every shrines has "Torii" (a big gate for God) , which color is red or uncolored. But Mikane shrine's Torii color is gold which is the symbol of money. This is very rare in our country.

 In Kyoto, In Mikane shrine, praying for God is very nice.