At a shrine in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture, a "Kaya no Wa Kuguri" has begun, in which a large ring of leaves is passed through and a wish for a disease-free life for the remaining six months.
In June, half of the year, the Kaya-no-waguri is held at shrines around the world as a Shinto ritual to pray for a disease-free life for the remaining six months after passing through a ring made of leaves.
At Yotsuyama Shrine in Arao City, it started on the 13th to coincide with the monthly festival of the shrine.
In the precincts, a large ring of kaya with a diameter of 2 meters made by bundling leaves of oysters was set up by the priests, and the Shinto ritual was held.
Approximately 30 people who visited the parishioners and worshipers lined up in a row with the priest at the head, bowed in front of the circle, and then passed through the circle three times to cleanse themselves.
A local woman in her 70s, who passed through the ring of Kaya, said, "I worshiped in the hope that I could spend the remaining six months in good health without getting sick even during the hot summer."
The Kaya-no-waguri at Yotsuyama Shrine will be held until June 19th.