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Japanese welcome a new year with HatsumoudeLast updated 12-31-08 at 12:07 p.m.
Watching the fireworks at the Space Needle is not the only way to celebrate
the new year. A temple in Redmond, known as Jingoji, offers a New Year’s
event in which people can pray for fortune for the upcoming year. About
100 people visit Jingoji every year to participate in this event. This Japanese custom is called Hatsumoude. Hatsumoude
involves a visit to a shrine in hopes that the
new year will be a great year for friends and family. Ryusei Kitahara — originally from
the Hida Kokubunji temple in the Gifu Prefecture of Japan — is
in charge of this event. He was assigned to Jingoji in November 2008.
It will be his first time spending New Year’s Day in the United
States. “There is no time to pray for family’s health or business
prosperity throughout daily life,” Kitahara said. “By going
to the temple and paying a visit there, people are inspired to work
hard to make it a great year. I think that’s what Hatsumoude is
for.” Jingoji was built in 2001. It moved to Redmond where the new main hall
was added in September 2006. The hall was built by Japanese carpenters.
The stairs outside of the hall is made of stones from Kouhukuji, a city
in Gifu. Dark colors are commonly used to decorate Japanese temples,
but Jingoji’s hall is comprised of bright red, green, and white. The New Year’s event at Jingoji attracts Japanese people who
live in the state of Washington. Mayumi Shimizu, who currently lives
in Bothell, plans to attend the event. She has attended other events
that Jingoji puts on such as the Girls Festival (Hinamatsuri). Shimizu
goes back to Jingoji because she likes the people who work there. Shimizu has known the chief priest of Jingoji,
Housho Nishibu, for 10 years. Nishibu helped during
Shimizu’s
wedding, and they have kept in touch since. “When I visit Jingoji, it’s a tender feeling. That’s
because Nishibu does not associate me as a part of business,” Shimizu
said. “He makes me feel [welcomed] that I want to visit Jingoji
again.” The New Year’s event starts Dec. 31 at midnight. Kitahara and
Missho Malum, Akiyama’s husband, will hold the event this year
because Nishibu is in Japan until March 2009. The temple bell will be
tolled 108 times to cleanse participants’ worldly desires. Participants
are also able to toll the bell. On Jan. 1, Hatsumoude begins at 11 a.m. and will
be held through Jan. 3. The visitors can pray for
wishes such as their family’s safety. Kitahara and Malum will
perform a ritual known as goma, meaning holy fire,
which involves burning small pieces of holy wood
before a Buddhist alter for spiritual purification. They will perform every hour until 3 p.m. Jingoji
offers a sweet alcoholic drink made of fermented rice. The drink is
believed to protect people from evil. Lucky charms are available for
purchase for $5. “If you are not Japanese, this event is a great opportunity to experience Japanese culture. If you are Japanese, it is a perfect chance to pray on New Year’s Day like when you were in Japan, as there are not a lot of opportunities to attend Hatsumoude in Washington state,” Kitahara said. “I would like everyone to visit Jingoji and greet the New Year with a peaceful and refreshed heart.”(end) Visit Jingoji at 502 Redmond-Fall City Road S.E., Redmond or online at www.jingoji.org. Yuki Nakajima can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com. |
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On
Jan. 1, 2008, the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo was packed with people
for Hatsumoude.
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