夏越の祓(なごしのはらえ)①/June 30th Is Very Special: Nagoshi-no-harae①

この時期、京都のあちこちで写真のような「茅の輪」が見られます。

In June, you may see this unique circle made by straw in Kyoto here and there.

半年のけがれをはらう #夏越の祓 (なごしのはらえ)のために用意されたものです。

It is for a day called #Nagoshinoharae, an event for purification at the end of a half year.

6月30日というのは特別な日です。この日は半年の終わりにあたります。

June 30th is a very special day. This day exactly fell on the end of a half year.

半年無事に過ごせたことに感謝し、7月からまた始まる新たな日々の、健やかな半年を願うのです。

Thanking that we survived a half year and wishing a safety and a healthy life, we appreciate the day and moving on towards July 1st.

ちょうど京都では、7月1日から末まで続く、祇園祭が始まります。

Indeed in Kyoto, July 1st is the start of Gion Festival lasting until the end of July.

#祇園祭 も、元々は疫病はらいのために始まりました。(参照)

#GionFestival originally started to get pandemic away from our daily life. (cf: previous post)

今年は山鉾巡行はコロナの影響で中止ですが、神事はきちんと行われます。

Unfortunately the most famous ceremony, the float parade is not held this year due to COVID, but still some other important religious ceremonies are going to be done.

6月30日が特別な日であることを気にとめていただければと思います。

Please think of the day, June 30th is very important to Japanese culture and keep it in mind.