The is one of the

Shinto , also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religions, East Asian religion by Religious studies, scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as ...

purification rituals known as ''

harae or ( or ) is the general term for ritual purification in Shinto. is one of four essential elements involved in a Shinto ceremony. The purpose is the purification of pollution or sins () and uncleanness ().(Norbeck, 1952) These concepts include ...

'' and is sometimes translated as "Great Purification". It is also known as the . The '' Ōharae no Kotoba'' prayer is recited during the ritual. The ritual is performed biannually on June 30 and December 30 at several shrines, but also as necessary, such as after an offense is committed, at the

Daijosai The Daijō-sai is a special religious service conducted in November after the Enthronement of the Japanese emperor, enthronement, in which the Emperor of Japan gives thanks for peace of mind and a rich harvest to the solar deity Amaterasu (天� ...

, or when an unmarried prince or princess departs the imperial palace to visit

Ise Shrine The , located in Ise, Mie Prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the solar goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami and the grain goddess Toyouke-hime (Toyouke Omikami). Also known simply as , Ise Shrine is a shrine complex composed of many Shi ...

or the Kamo Shrines. The December 30 ritual is sometimes held on New Year's Eve.

History

The primary theory is that the ''Ōharae-shiki'' began at the end of the seventh century. It evolved over time, especially through the fifteenth century. These changes were linked to modifications to the Ritsuryō system, a set of laws and rules, in the eighth century. The ''Ōharae-shiki'' changed again in the

Edo period The , also known as the , is the period between 1600 or 1603 and 1868 in the history of Japan, when the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and some 300 regional ''daimyo'', or feudal lords. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengok ...

(1603–1868), and some previous aspects were reestablished during the

Meiji period The was an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868, to July 30, 1912. The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonizatio ...

(1868–1912). Purification became more important to prepare for this ritual and became more prominent in the Meiji restoration.

''Minazuki-barae''

Though the ''Ōharae-shiki'' conducted in June is sometimes confused with the —another purification rite that takes place at that time in the imperial court—they are conducted separately.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oharae-shiki Japanese Imperial Rituals Festivals in Japan Exorcism in Shinto Ritual purification