Ōharae-shiki
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| Ritual ceremonies of the Imperial Palace |
| Shihohai・Saiten-sai |
| Genshi-sai |
| Start of Musical Performance |
| Emperor Showa Festival (Previous Emperor's Festival) |
| Emperor Kōmei festival[a] |
| Kinen-sai |
| The Emperor's Birthday |
| Spring Kōreisai・Spring Shrine Festival |
| Jimmu Festival・Kōrei-den Kagura |
| Empress Kōjun festival[a] |
| Yoori・Ōharae-shiki |
| Emperor Meiji festival[a] |
| Autumn Kōreisai・Autumn Shrine Festival |
| Kannamesai Festival |
| Niiname-no-Matsuri |
| Kashiko dokoro Sacred Kagura |
| Emperor Taishō festival[a] |
| Yoori・Ōharae-shiki |
Ōharae-shiki is a Shinto ritual also known as the Great Purification.[1][2] The name Oharae literally means Great Harae.[2]
The ritual was held biannually as a festival at the end of the sixth and twelfth months, but also on an ad hoc basis whenever a great purification was needed, such as after someone committed an offense, or a Daijosai or an unmarried prince or princess visited Ise Jingu or the Kamo Shrines.[2][3]: 7
It is hosted annually on June 30[4] and on December 30.[5] The latter is sometimes held on New Year's Eve.[6]
The Engishiki specified imperial involvement with four festivals, the Kinen-sai, the two Ōharae-shiki and Niiname-no-Matsuri for tribute.[3]: 36
Oharae no Kotoba are prayers used in this process.[7]
It is also done at Isonokami Shrine
History[edit]
Historians state that regular Ōharae rites started at the end of the seventh century. They evolved over time, especially through the fifteenth century. These changes were linked to updates in the ritsuryō system, a set of laws and rules, in the eighth century.[2]
In the Edo period (1603–1868), Ōharae changed again. In the Meiji period (1868–1912), some parts of the old rite were reestablished.[2]
Purification became more important to prepare for this ritual and Yoori became more prominent in the Meiji restoration.[3]: 362
Minazuki-barae[edit]
People often mix up the Ōharae in the sixth month with Minazuki-barae (水無月祓), another purification rite that takes place at that time. However, each had its own purpose and importance in court rituals.[2]
See also[edit]
Notelist[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "OHARAE 大祓: "The Great Purification"". January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Namiki, Kazuko. "Ōharae". Kokugakuin University Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Hardacre, Helen (11 November 2016). Shinto: A History (Illustrated ed.). New York (N.Y.): Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-062171-1.
- ^ "Nagoshi no Oharae Purification Ritual". Kamo Wakeikazuchi Jinja Shrine (Kamigamo Jinja) (in Japanese). Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ Meador, Spencer (4 July 2017). "Oharae". Sanpai Japan. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ "Shiwasu Oharae-shiki (Great Purification Ceremony in December) | Samukawa-jinja Shrine". Samukawa-jinja Shrine Official Website. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ The Great Purification chant ookunitamajinja.or.jp