January 1, 2009 No.18
Happy new year!! This is Dragon. I wish this year will be a wonderful year for everyone.
A new year has started today. Many people in Japan visit shrines to pay homage for a new year on a new year's day. It is called "Hatsumoude".
D: Dragon,
G: the guardian diety/Kamisama
D: Kamisama, Happy New Year! I appreciate your support for this year as well.
G: Me too, thank you.
D: I have a question on a new year's day.
G: Please, you don't need to hesitate.
D: Thank you very much. So, today many people are visiting shrines all over Japan for Hatsumoude, would you please tell me what is the good way for this??
G: Oh, of course. I love to tell you the manner. Then, I will explain from walking through Torii gate.
D: Oh, yes! Do we need to pay attentions when we pass a Torii gate?
G: Not really attention, rather more respect. It is important to pay respect to gods.
D: Indeed. (If there are gods or not, etiquette is our culture...)
G: Exactly, etiquette is a beautiful culture that man created.
D: Ha!?? You read my mind? Yes, it is so...,then what do we need to do at the gate?
G: Please make a bow first. Then say a greeting in your mind like 'please excuse me to enter'. When you leave, you do the same. In general, Torii gate is like an entrance of other world which is different from human world.
D: Ops, I haven't done this before. Then,the next step is washing my hands with pure water or ??
G: No, before that, you walk on the main path to the shrine. I would like to ask you to do this, not like paying attention though.
D: What is it? Pick up a trash if you see it?
G: That is a good manner. That is good, but simply, please do not walk on the middle of the path.
D: Don't walk on the middle? why ?
G: Please consider this as etiquette, but the middle part of the path is where gods walk. So it is important for man to respect it.
D: With modest attitude.
G: Exactly. A person who is modest towards man and gods can cultivate his soul. But Hatsumoude is very busy, so it may be impossible.
D: Yes I understand. What is next?
G: The next step is cleansing hands with pure water. It may be too cold in winter but make sure your hands are washed. Do you know the proper order?
D: What is the proper order for that?
G: First. Hold a wooden ladle by your right hand and wash your left hand, and then wash your right hand. If water is clean, rinse your mouth. This is the best way.
D: If water is dirty??
G: You don't need to rinse your mouth. Then turn the ladle upward and dry it and return to where it was.
D: Good learning! And next?
G: Next is how to pray. In general, first, you make two deep bows, clap your hands twice and make a deep bow again. Then you join your hands together and pray.
D: Hmm... making bows, clapping hands, should we do this?
G: Yes, as much as possible. Dragon, remember, when you visit a shrine to pay homage for the new year, it is important to make gods pleased.
D: Ah? Make gods pleased by man?
G: Ha, ha, ha, surprised? Gods were humans before. And Dragon, you too, if someone greeted you in a proper manner, you will be pleased.
D: Ah, indeed! Certainly!
G: Two bows, Two clapping hands and one bow. If you do this seriously, not embarrassed, gods will have good impression of you. Especially when you clap hands, make big sound. Clapping hands will have effect of cleansing of the space.
D: Sorry , it is the first time to hear. I didn't know...
G: Yes, but this custom is different among shrines. If you don't know the proper manner, please ask them.
D: Yes. How about amount of offering money?
G: Ha, ha, ha. This is from your heart. The amount of money doesn't matter. It is depend on your budget.
D: I am relieved. How about an oracle paper? Is it a good thing to do?
G: Either way is fine. Its only your choice, but remember that oracle papers have always something to tell you, so you must read very carefully. If the message catches your heart, take it and post on your fridge.
D: I see. I have always bound on a branch.
G: Either way is okay. As long as it helps man, gods are happy.
D: Okay. Also one more thing. My wishes. I have ten times more than the others.
G: Great,if all of your wishes were for other people's happiness.
D: Wishes for others?
G: Dragon, just imagine a good person you like and apply it on him. Do you think a person who thinks only himself will be liked by others?
D: Hmmm, that is correct. Ego centrism isn't really cool.
G: Of course, you can pray for yourself, but that should be at last. Remember that the first thing is to pray for your friends and family. Pray for their health and happiness from your heart. But before that, you have to express your gratitude for god's grace.
D: What? Thanking the gods first?
G: Yes. First, repeat your gratitude (Okagesamade) three times. That will make gods happy and then, pray for gods happiness as well.
D: Pardon? Gods' happiness?
G: Yes. I want you to think gods as men.
D: Indeed. Well, certainly it may be so. Okay, I will pray for gods' happiness as well. Also, I will express my gratitude, too. Then others' happiness and after all asking something for me.
G: That is perfect. Make sure that gods are happy. Make it as your priority and express your gratitude. In the end, gods will be pleased to help you.
D: I understand! Let's go! Ah, one more thing? Can I visit many places?
G: Of course you can, but you need to choose shrines that you feel good about.
D: I understand! Thank you very much!
G: Be careful and enjoy.
(Translated by Tomo-san. Thank you, Tomo-san!)
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