Same as this time last year, my husband and I decided to go to Samukawa shrine to get ourselves expelled evil. Well, actually this is what we are supposed to do at the beginning of the year, meaning the first week of January. But we usually go to some small local shrines then and somehow it was this time last year when we started to visit Samukawa shrine, 1 year from then will become this time this year. Actually I don’t like crowds. That’s another reason I want to avoid visiting any famous shrines around New Year’s Day.
This time they opened a nice Japanese garden to those who had “Yakuyoke” (ceremony to ward off evil). I’ll show you some pics.
We were asked to wash hands and mouth for lustration before we observe a sacred pond that is considered the origin of this shrine and has been preserved since ancient times. This place was closed last year. At the sacred pond, I was not allowed to take pictures because it’s considered “God zone”. Then I was not supposed to take pictures inside of the shrine? Well it was too late, I’ve already taken some. :p
To enter the gate, there is a beautiful Japanese garden.
There is a Japanese tea salon where we can have a set of green tea and something sweet such as manju for 500 yen. I definitely like coffee and cake more than green tea and manju but it looked nice to have this sill view to forget about busy life. Before I decided to go into the salon, it started to rain. It was cold for this season on the day.
My omikuji was not something very fortunate. 
(The strap of the camera is inside the photo…*_* How come~?)
The protection cards are placed properly inside our house. It’s called Happouyoke (八方除け) and the cards are placed at 8 different directions so that evil spirits or matters should not come inside the house. What did I do with the ones from last year? I returned them to the shrine at the proper place so they can burn old protections that are considered “expired” (lol) all together. This may sound crazy to some people, and I know I act like a grandma but this makes me feel better. This is my very Japanese part of custom. ^ ^;
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Posted by: kirin on 
Jun 4th, 2010 | 
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June 4th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Nice photos. Also, I'm glad all your evil has been officially expelled.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Among my favorite things about Japan are the Shrines and Temples. Especially the ones that feature a pond such as this one. A stroll around the pond and just sitting next to one seems to help me feel at peace. And the beautiful ancient architecture is a joy to behold. I agree with you. It is much more pleasant without the crowds. I guess tying a omikuoji to a string in Japan is similar to lighting a candle in a Catholic church.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing these pictures.
Perhaps the camera strap was caught by a gust of wind at just the wrong moment
June 4th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
That is so neat, I love reading little antedote like that. Thank you for sharing!
June 4th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Awesome! Wish they had stuff like that over where I live! Glad you had a lovely time
June 4th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
that isjust beautiful, Kirin! I'm going to share this with a friend of mine who loves gardens. Thank you
June 4th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Thank you for sharing, Kirin. Such a beautiful garden! I like that Japanese tradition: to be protected for each year. I think, this is important for anyone to feel safe and peacefully being aware on a "protection".
June 5th, 2010 at 4:20 am
Even though I don't share a belief in such things, I can understand the importance that traditional religious practices have for many people. Thanks for sharing yours with your readers.
June 5th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Such a beautiful place!!
In Spain there's a similar tradition, it is called: Domingo de ramos
June 6th, 2010 at 12:57 am
Thank you. If it didn't rain, I might have stayed at the tea salon to spend more time observing the garden and the pond.
June 6th, 2010 at 1:02 am
I agree with you. I think I need such peaceful and calm moment when I can totally be free from worldly thoughts. I like what you mentioned. That must be nice.
June 6th, 2010 at 1:04 am
Thank you. Ah~, that's possible, I'm talking about the camera strap. ^ ^;
June 6th, 2010 at 1:05 am
Please do so, and hope your friend finds it nice too. ^ ^
June 6th, 2010 at 1:10 am
It sounds superstitious, but I like to follow this only to feel better. ^ ^;
June 6th, 2010 at 1:13 am
It's also true there are people againt such thoughts, but I came to believe such things especially since my husband was attacked by a serious disease several years ago. (He's recovered from it now.)
June 6th, 2010 at 1:19 am
Domingo = Monday? My poor Spanish… ^ ^;
June 6th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
She did love it. She was so happy to come home and find this link!
June 6th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
No, Domingo = Sunday ^^, Monday = Lunes
June 7th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Thank you. I'm happy to hear that.
June 12th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Domingo = Sunday, Lunes = Monday , don't worry my japanesse isn't perfect neither XD
June 13th, 2010 at 5:33 am
Oh…sorry sorry…
el Domingo. el Lunes, el Martes…I remember I learned like that. But I forget most of what I've learned… en la clase de espanol. XD
July 26th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
hai your articles very interest, i permisiion for pick your images. thank you before
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