By writing this blog,
I can learn so much about Japan and its culture as I research what it is and
the story behind it. There is certain
period called “Doyou no Ushi no Hi” which usually people mean one in summer. Old
Chinese / Japanese calendar divide one year with five elements. Spring is wood,
Summer is fire, Autumn is metal, Winter is water. Earth element comes in every
time between those 4 seasons acting like buffer time. This earth period (I
would just call it that way) is “Doyou”. “Ushi” means a cow and it comes from
twelve horary signs assigned to each day. So it is a cow day during the Doyou
period. Summer one is well known because we have a custom to eat an eel to
energize and get over Japan’s hot summer time.
Shimogamo Shrine has a
festival called Mitarashi-sai. This festival / ceremony happens once a year, 5
days before and after of “Doyou no Ushi no Hi” only. I was lucky enough to be
there during this period so I couldn’t skip it! There is a sacred pond called
“Mitarashi Ike(pond)” and usually nobody allowed to go in. Only this time
people can go in, cleanse your body, soul, and sins, then wish for good health
and good luck. I took off my shoes at entrance and paid 300yen for this
experience, got a candle. Water was incredibly clear, crisp and cold. It felt
so good, really felt like it cleanse my dull soul as I walked. Then you lit a
candle, leave it on the rack, then get out of the pond. Finally, they are
serving fresh sacred water from its well to with year round health and good
luck.
Cleanse yourself with
water before seeing gods (before praying) is common custom in Japan. Doing it
with special holy water felt like going some another level! This Mitarashi-sai
says the water washes out your sickness, bad luck, and even your sin. Almost like
re-starting yourself…I should remember this feeling and start a new day in
every morning. 