Shinto rituals are performed by male priests who are assisted by the female shrine functionary called the miko. Shinto rituals were sacred ceremonies whereby female shaman did euphoric dances. They relayed messages to kamis in a state of kami-possession and made various requests. Shinto rituals are the main component of the national festivals in Japan. Here are some of the New Year festivals;
Held around January 15th each year. Talismans, shrine decorations and other ornaments are collected and burnt in bonfires. This is done by typically pilling bamboo, tree twigs, and straw and then set ablaze to wish for health and a prosperous harvest in the New Year. The act of burning the shrine decorations has many names like Sagicho and dono yaki. Listeners can tell whether will be lucky or not judging from the crackling sound made from the burning bamboo. When children throw their calligraphy into the bonfires, it flies high into the sky-a sign that they will be good in calligraphy. Dōsojin protects crossroads, mountain passes, and village boundaries. Dōsojin also has a close relation to fertility in both crops and people and is referred to as the god of stones.
Hatsumode
It is the first New Year’s shrine visit as it literally means paying the first visit of the year to the shrine. The aim is to express thankfulness for the past year’s protection and also to gain sanctifications and continued protection during the coming year. The Shinto priest offers a small speech and then invites people to share a small cup of sake. Most people try to make early visits in January.
Jichinsai
This event precedes the start of all the year’s important events. It is aimed at purifying the ground or consecrates a building site. The performance of Jichinsai pacifies the earth kami and purifies the construction site.
References
Japanese Budhist Statuary 1995. Shinto Festivals, Rites, & Ceremonies. Retrieved from http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shinto-festivals.html on 19th Aug 2013
