Apr 11 (NHK) - The coronavirus outbreak has prompted a Shinto shrine in Kyoto to break away from a centuries-old tradition and set up large grass hoops that usually appear only in summer to fend off a plague.
Yasaka Shrine set up two hoops, called chinowa, on March 8. They are erected for rituals held on June 30 and July 31 every year.
Shrine officials say this is the first time since 1877 that a chinowa has been erected outside of those dates. At that time, Japan was hit by a cholera outbreak.
Visitors walked through the hoops to pray for a quick end to the coronavirus pandemic.
A man says many fewer customers are coming to his restaurant since the outbreak began and he is thinking about temporarily closing his business.
The shrine says the hoops will be in place until the outbreak ends.
