December 31, 2002
-
New Year's Eve 2002
We went to Meiji Shrine on Dec. 31. It is unapproachable on January 1st because of the jillions of people who go there to pay their respects and pray for good fortune in the coming year. I did not go on the first this year, as I went on the first to do crowd watching last year, and had had enough of that! Anyone who wants to see the crowds can request last year's pictures.
"Oharai" is a ceremony that the local priests go through to cleanse themselves of impurity for the coming year. Dunno any other details.
The gate leads into the main part of the shrine, and the picture of the sheep (Ema-see one hanging on either side of the gate?) is for this year's featured Chinese zodiac animal. People can buy smaller shingle sized versions of this and write their prayers on the reverse side. It is then left hanging on a special rack in the shrine grounds.
In the last picture you can see my favorite landmark, the Docomo Building! The white curtain around the main sanctuary is where everyone will gather on the first of the year to throw in offerings - usually a few coins. People usually throw their coins into a box, but the throngs are so large on New Year's Day that they just wall off a large area in front of the building in which people can toss their coins. So many coins fly with such force that the crowd control police stationed in front of the area wear clear plastic face gaurds to avoid getting beaned. The day was very chilly, and we met a priest hurrying by who announced that "It was cold" and I remarked that he looked colder in the flimsy garments that he was wearing than we did in our winter coats. He proudly announced that he was used to the cold and pulled back his gown sleeves to reveal a forearms full of goosebumps. I hope that he did not start his new year with a box of tissues by his side.
Here are some New Year's cards.
