Meiji-Jingu Shrine (2): How to worship at the shrine

After the barrels of Japanese sake and French wine (see the previous post), you will find Ni-no-Torii, the second gate on your left hand. The Ichi-no-Torii differentiates the sacred area of the shrine from our world. Then, the Ni-no-Torii takes the role of the entrance to the primary worship Hall.

First, you should proceed to Chozuya, a small hut-like facility to wash your hands and mouth, which works as cleansing and purifying your body and spirit before the worship. It used to be rivers or waterfalls for cleaning your whole body. But there are few shrines near the river or waterfall, so the Chouzuya has been set up in the shrine.

There are several ways to rinse your hands and mouth, depending on the style of the shrines. When there is a ladle at the Chozuya, the procedure to rinse your hands and mouth is as follows;
1) First, take water in a bamboo ladle from the bamboo pipe,
2) Then clean your left hand and then your right hand,
3) Make a small sink in your left palm, pour water into it, and
4) Rinse your mouth with water from your palm quietly.

After rinsing, please proceed to the primary hall for the worship and pay respects to the deity of the shrine as follows;
1) Bow twice in front of the money offering box,
2) One step forward and throw coins into the box,
2) Clap your hands twice,
3) Say your wish in your mind, not speak it out, and
4) Bow once again and leave the place.

I prefer visiting and worshiping at the Meiji-Jingu shrine in the early morning before it gets crowded. I can feel a very sacred mood, giving me time to review my days and think about my future. The shrine opens at the time of sunrise of the day. It closes when the sun sets, so the early morning is the best moment to immerse yourself in the Shintoism atmosphere.

In the next post, I will write about the wedding march in the shrine. Please wait for a while.

If you are interested in a walking tour in Tokyo, including the Meiji-Jingu shrine, please get in touch with me via the following link: “Contact me!”

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Sunday, October 1, 2023

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