learn/[id]

季節
10 分で読める
夏
SEASONAL
Nagoshi no Harae: The Midsummer Purification and Chinowa Kuguri Ritual
Nagoshi no Harae on June 30th is one of Japan's oldest purification rites, cleansing accumulated impurities from the first half of the year. Learn about the chinowa kuguri ritual, its meaning, and where to participate.
暦
Author
Koyomi
| Seasons & Customs
Contents
MOKUJI
一
Origins: A History of Purification Reaching Back to the Age of the Gods
›
二
The Chinowa Kuguri Ritual: Origins in the Myth of Somin Shorai
›
三
Proper Etiquette for Chinowa Kuguri
›
四
Major Nagoshi no Harae Destinations
›
五
Frequently Asked Questions
›
On the evening of June 30th, shrine precincts across Japan feature a large ring woven from cogon grass at the approach, with worshippers passing through it. This is Nagoshi no Harae — one of Japan’s oldest purification rituals, cleansing the accumulated impurities of the first half of the year.
A chinowa (grass ring) erected at a shrine precinct. Fashioned from bundled cogon grass, these large rings appear at shrines nationwide during the Nagoshi no Harae season.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / photo by ファイア
Origins: A History of Purification Reaching Back to the Age of the Gods
The Great Purification Prayer (Oharae no Kotoba)
The Nagoshi no Harae traces its roots to the mythological age recorded in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. The misogi harae (purification bathing) performed by Izanagi no Mikoto after returning from the underworld is considered the primordial form of Japanese ritual purification. The Great Purification Prayer (Oharae no Kotoba) was codified in its current form during the reign of Emperor Tenmu (late 7th century); reciting this prayer is believed to purify all sins and impurities.
Worshippers performing chinowa kuguri during the Nagoshi no Harae. The figure-eight passage — left, right, left — repeated three times is said to cleanse half a year's accumulated impurities.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / photo by あ四タ
Twice-Annual Purification: June and December
Since ancient times, Japan has observed Grand Purification (Oharae) at the end of both June and December. The June purification is “Nagoshi no Harae” and the December one is “Toshikoshi no Harae.” This semi-annual cycle reflects the belief in maintaining continuous spiritual cleanliness. Both Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Meiji Jingu conduct elaborate Nagoshi no Harae ceremonies each year.
The Chinowa Kuguri Ritual: Origins in the Myth of Somin Shorai
The Legend of Somin Shorai
The best-known origin story for the chinowa kuguri ritual is the tale of Somin Shorai recorded in the Bingo-no-kuni Fudoki. In this story, a traveling deity (identified variously as Susanoo no Mikoto or Gozu Tenno) sought lodging at the humble home of a poor man named Somin Shorai. In gratitude for the genuine hospitality, the deity instructed Somin to “wear a ring of cogon grass at his waist” — and those who wore the ring would be protected from plague.
A specially erected chinowa ring at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. As the enshrining place of Susanoo no Mikoto — the deity of the Somin Shorai legend — this chinowa carries extraordinary mythological significance.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / photo by 京都新観光提言懇談会メンバー
From this legend, the cogon ring became believed to repel disease and impurity, evolving into the shrine practice of erecting large rings at the approach for worshippers to pass through.
The Material and Meaning of Cogon Grass
The “kaya” (cogon grass — susuki or chigaya) used for the chinowa has long been associated with repelling evil in Japan, appearing also in thatched roofs and shimenawa rope. The ring’s circular form symbolizes infinity and regeneration, while serving as a “boundary” that separates impurity from the person passing through.
Proper Etiquette for Chinowa Kuguri
How to Pass Through the Chinowa
Minazuki wagashi from Nakamuraken confectionery in Kyoto. This triangular sweet of white uiro (rice jelly) topped with azuki beans is eaten on June 30 alongside the purification rite. The triangle represents the ice blocks from the imperial ice-house.
Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0 (Public Domain) / photo by Kykk wiki
The standard practice is to pass through the ring three times in a figure-eight pattern:
Pass
Movement
Direction
1st
Pass through ring
Turn left after exiting
2nd
Pass through again
Turn right after exiting
3rd
Pass through once more
Turn left after exiting
A traditional waka poem associated with this practice: “Minazuki no nagoshi no harae suru hito wa, chitose no inochi nobu to iu nari” (Those who perform the summer purification in the sixth month are said to extend their lives by a thousand years). Reciting this while passing through deepens the purification.
The Hitogata (Paper Doll) Offering
In addition to the chinowa, Nagoshi no Harae also involves hitogata — paper dolls in human shape on which worshippers write their name and age, then rub over their body to transfer impurities before submitting them to the shrine. At Kita Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, this paper doll ritual is conducted with particular care.
Major Nagoshi no Harae Destinations
The Nagoshi Oharae ceremony at Rubeshibe Shrine (Hokkaido). On June 30, shrines nationwide hold this Great Purification rite — priests recite the Oharae no Kotoba while worshippers transfer defilements onto paper human figures (hitogata) and submit them to the shrine.
Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0 (Public Domain) / photo by 田頭寛
Shrine
Nagoshi Features
Kita Shrine
Dedicated to Sugawara Michizane; large chinowa and paper doll ritual
Yasaka Shrine
Summer purification culture developed alongside the July Gion Festival
Kamigamo Shrine
World Heritage site; famous paper doll floating ritual
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Continuous Oharae tradition from the Kamakura period
Meiji Jingu
Tokyo’s major shrine; large numbers pass through the chinowa
The chinowa is typically set up for several days around June 30th. Check with your intended shrine in advance to confirm dates and whether hitogata are available for advance collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot attend Nagoshi no Harae?
Some shrines accept hitogata by mail before the ceremony. Reciting the Oharae no Kotoba at home is also considered a valid form of self-purification. The December Toshikoshi no Harae provides the second half of the annual cycle, so participating in that ceremony is also meaningful.
How many times should I pass through the chinowa?
The standard is three times in the figure-eight pattern described above, but practices vary by shrine. Some shrines specify only one pass; others have unique accompanying chants. The information board at the shrine entrance or the authorized goods office will clarify local practice.
What is the connection between Minazuki wagashi and Nagoshi no Harae?
“Minazuki” is a traditional Kyoto sweet eaten on June 30th for Nagoshi no Harae. The triangular white uiro (rice jelly) topped with adzuki beans represents an ice block (the triangle symbolizes ice; the adzuki beans ward off evil spirits). In the imperial court, eating actual ice was a summer custom; commoners ate minazuki as a substitute. After attending Nagoshi no Harae in Kyoto, visiting a wagashi shop for minazuki is a classic tradition worth experiencing.
Last updated: April 25, 2026
── 了 ──
暦
Author
Koyomi（こよみ）
Seasons & Customs
Toku editorial team — seasons and customs. Former travel-magazine editor delivering bloom timings, annual rituals and visit etiquette in sense-laden prose accessible to first-timers.
›
This article was
♡ Helpful
⤴
詣
Visit Related Places
History truly comes alive when you visit in person. Choose your next destination from the related sites and pilgrimage courses below.
1. Yasaka Shrine
Head of Gion Matsuri — Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine of warding and matchmaking
›
2. Kamigamo Shrine
World Heritage imperial guardian shrine predating Heian-kyo — home of the Aoi Matsuri procession
›
3. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Kamakura's guardian shrine since Yoritomo's 1180 relocation — site of Sanetomo's assassination by the great ginkgo
›
4. Meiji Jingu
70-hectare sacred forest in central Tokyo — Japan's busiest New Year shrine
›
Pilgrimage Course
Shinbutsu Reijo Pilgrimage
Visit 150 sites
›
Pilgrimage Course
Japan Top 100: Kyoto/Osaka/Hyogo
Visit 28 sites
›
Related Articles
N
共通のスポット
Nagoshi no Harae — How to Pass Through the Chinowa Ring and Where to Go
A guide to Japan's midsummer purification ritual on 30 June, with the correct way to pass through th
›
T
共通のスポット
Tanabata: The History and Shrine Traditions of Japan's Star Festival
Tanabata on July 7th combines Chinese Qixi traditions with Japan's native Tanabata-tsume beliefs. Di
›
G
共通のスポット
Gogatsu Ningyo and Tango no Sekku — Samurai Prayers and the Meaning of Armor Dolls
Gogatsu Ningyo (Boys' Day dolls) are displayed on Tango no Sekku (May 5) to pray for a boy's health
›
I C H I G O I C H I E
📱
Explore pilgrimage with the app
Download on the App Store
✕