SUMMER

SUMMERCEREMONY Summer ceremony (nagoshi harae) is celebrated at the beginning of summer. In the original agricultural setting farmers wishing for a good crop, prayed for the absence of bugs and weeds. In the modern world the summer ceremony offers a moment of reflection upon the direction (and meaning) of our life and to get rid of all unnecessary luggage. Main characteristic of the summer ceremony is the circle of grass (chinowa). According to ancient belief walking four times through the grass-circle will purify us from all pollution. The pattern of walking has a deep cosmological meaning, which will be explained during the ceremony.