News On Japan

Monks and Devotees Perform Purifying Cold Water Ritual in Wakayama's Koyasan

Wakayama, Jan 29 (News On Japan) - In the sacred precincts of Koyasan, located in Wakayama Prefecture, a group of monks and devotees have braved the cold waters of the Tamagawa River for the traditional practice of "Misogi" (purification ritual) amidst the winter chill.

The ritual, known as "Sanchu Mizugyo," took place near Okunoin, the inner sanctuary of Koyasan, on the 28th. Nine participants, ranging from their thirties to sixties, including monks from the Koyasan Shingon sect and lay followers, gathered for the event. Clad in white robes and holding prayer beads, they submerged themselves up to their waists in the river. Accompanied by the rhythmic clapping of wooden blocks, they chanted sutras for approximately 15 minutes.

The water at the site of the ritual was recorded at a frigid 0 degrees Celsius on a nearby thermometer. Visitors to the site captured the moment with their cameras, watching over the practitioners as they endured the cold. After completing the ritual, the head priest of Houjuin reflected on the experience: "This year, we have witnessed the earthquake on the Noto Peninsula. We performed the ritual in memory of those who lost their lives and with prayers for the swift recovery of those who are facing hardships."

The practice of Sanchu Mizugyo is a testament to the enduring spiritual discipline of the Koyasan monks, and serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and dedication found within the community.

Source: NHK

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Japan’s H3 Rocket No. 7, carrying a newly developed unmanned cargo spacecraft, successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 9 a.m. on October 26th, marking another milestone for the nation’s space program.

A Tokyo District Court has ruled that addressing a colleague using the 'chan' suffix constitutes sexual harassment, ordering a male employee to pay 220,000 yen in damages.

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Society NEWS

A 38-year-old man was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on October 24th after attacking a riot police officer with a knife, injuring the officer’s right leg.

A group in Sapporo achieved a Guinness World Record on October 25th for creating the world’s largest sentence made entirely from plastic bottle caps. The artwork, composed of around 80,000 caps, was officially recognized under the category “Largest Sentence Made from Bottle Caps.”

A 47-year-old man accused of possessing cannabis in Nagoya has been acquitted after the Nagoya High Court ruled that the procedures used to seize the evidence were illegal. The decision, handed down on October 9th, became final after prosecutors decided not to appeal.

A 38-year-old man was killed on October 24th in the village of Higashinaruse, Akita Prefecture, after attempting to rescue a couple in their seventies who were being attacked by a bear.

A memorial service marking 80 years since the end of World War II was held in Shari, a town in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko region, on October 22nd to honor those who perished in the Northern Territories and other areas.

Police in Osaka arrested a 48-year-old man on October 22nd after a tense 14-hour standoff in which he allegedly held a woman at knifepoint inside an apartment. A special tactical unit forced entry into the residence late at night, ending the standoff without injuries.

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

The Metropolitan Police Department has arrested Naoki Satake, an unemployed suspect, on suspicion of robbery resulting in injury after he allegedly sprayed tear gas on a man and tried to steal 53 million yen in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward in September.