What is Hatsumode?
Hatsumode literally means Hatsu (first) mode (pay respect, visit) so it means paying first visit to Shinto Shrine or Buddhist temple after the New Year’s day. Some people visit close to midnight of New Year’s eve and stay until New Year.
My family and I went to Hatsumode today since we went back to my hometown for the new year holiday and there are not Shinto Shrine close to my parents’ house. We usually visit Shinto Shrine after we come back from the holidays.
We went to the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. Although it is already January 11, there were still many people paying respect.
What to do on Hatsumode
Our family usually get Shugoya (literally meaning “Protecting Arrow”) at Hatsumode. It is like an amulet and we place it in our house for safety in the household. First, we return the old Shugoya at designated place.
Then, We wash our hands at wash basin, go through the Torii Gate and proceed to the Main Hall. On new year period, there are many people waiting in line to make prayer. In case of Meiji Shrine, they make space in front of the Main Hall so more people can pray.
We did prayer in Shinto style. 2 deep bows, 2 claps, prayer and 1 bow. I personally thanked for the last year and wished for good luck for the new year.
After the prayer, we got a new “Shugoya” for this year.
Omikuji
Another things our family do every year is to draw “Omikuji.”
We put coins and each shook the Omikuji box and got the number. Then, we opened the little drawer with the number and received the “Omikuji.”
In most shrines and temples, you will get omikuji with your fortune. (Like ”extremely lucky” to ”extremely bad luck”) In case of Meiji Shrine, Omikuji is in Japanese “waka” poems. These poems were composed by Emperor and Empress Meiji. We get one every new year and keep it with us.
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