Warding Off Evil and Guiding Toward Good Fortune

Flow of the gokito (prayer ceremony)
for Warding Off Evil and Guiding Toward Good Fortune

1. 

   Reception and application forms

   Please fill out the required fields at the reception desk located on the first floor of the shrine office building.
   Please fill out the application form with your name, address, and other information.

2. 

   Hatsuho-ryo (monetary offering)

   Please offer a hatsuho-ryo of 10,000 yen or 20,000 yen.
   For both offerings, you will receive sacred sake, a shrine history leaflet, and a limited-edition amulet for Warding Off Evil and Guiding Toward Good Fortune in a paulownia wood box.

   To the haiden (prayer hall)
3. 

   Sanshin (procession)

   When the time arrives, you will be guided to the haiden (prayer hall) in the procession accompanied by gagaku performance.

4. 

   Opening remarks

   The Shinto priest will announce the start of the ceremony.

5. 

   Purification ritual

   The priest will recite a purification prayer.
   All attendees receive the purification with their heads bowed.
   *Please rest assured that the priest will guide you on when to bow and raise your head.

6. 

   Norito (Shinto prayer)

   The priest will recite a norito (Shinto prayer) before the altar.
   The prayer is to clear away misfortune and guide you toward good fortune.

7. 

   Hitogata (paper doll) purification

   By gently rubbing the hitogata (paper doll) over your body and blowing on it, your misfortune is transferred to the hitogata.
   The hitogata will later be placed in a designated offering box.

8. 

   Kirinusa scattering offering

   You will sprinkle kirinusa (small pieces of purification paper and hemp) on yourself in three motions.
   First sprinkle on the left side, then on the right side, and once more on the left side.

9. 

   Purification bell

   The priest will ring a purification bell.
   Please receive the purification with your head bowed.

10. 

    Tamagushi (sacred branch) offering

    You will place the hitogata (paper doll) used earlier into the offering box and offer a tamagushi (sacred branch) to the altar.
    Please offer your worship in accordance with the following etiquette: bow twice, clap twice, and bow once more.
    *As always, the priest will guide you.

11. 

    Closing remarks

    The priest will announce the closing of the ceremony.

12. 

    Bestowing of jinja gifts

    Enshrine the talisman at your home altar.
    If you do not have a home altar, place a sheet of white paper above eye level and enshrine the talisman with its front facing south or east.
    Please consume any food offerings promptly.