Sorasaya Shrine Summer Festival

Stalls, fireworks and wishes for health and good luck at Sorasaya Shrine’s summer festival, held near Hiroshima A-bomb Dome.

People gather at the Natsukoshi Matsuri (also called “Mizunagatsu-no-Oharai” or “Great Purification of The Month of Water”) to rids themselves of the the sins and bad energy that may have accumulated over the first six months of the year and to pray for health during the coming hot summer months.

Purification methods include passing through a Chi-no-wa, a ring made from cogon grass, and performing a kind of exorcism using paper cut into the shape of a human figure.

Summer illnesses are fought off by the receiving hot water boiled in a large iron pot, heated by a pure flame and blessed before being distributed to worshippers.

On sale are special summer Goshuin stamps and grass ring shaped Omamori lucky charms

There are of course lot of fun festival stalls and nice fireworks display that can be watched from the bank of the Ota River just across the road from the shrine entrance.

Photos: Sorasaya Shrine | Sorasaya Shrine IG