On the 5th, a Shinto ritual, "Laughter Lecture," was held in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to forget the hardships of the year and wish for a good harvest next year by laughing out loud.
"Laughter" is a Shinto ritual that has continued for more than 800 years since the Kamakura period in Hofu City.
Participants who gathered in the hall of worship wore masks to prevent infection with the new coronavirus and took a distance to attend the Shinto ritual.
While the sound of the drums struck by the priest was ringing, the participants laughed three times in a loud voice, "Wahhahahaha" in turn in pairs.
The first laugh is to thank the harvest of this year, the second laugh is to pray for a good harvest next year, and the last laugh is to forget the pain and sadness of this year.
Finally, all the participants laughed three times, and the loudest laughter of the day echoed in the hall of worship.
Anyuan Suenaga, who took care of the "laughter", said, "I am grateful for the end of the year. I think some people are affected by the new coronavirus, but I am happy. I want the circle to expand. "