Society | Jan 10

Japanese partake in ice bath ritual to pray for pandemic end

Jan 10 (Ruptly) - A dozen people participated in a Shinto ritual whereby they bathed in icy waters at Teppou-zu Inari Shrine in Tokyo on Sunday to pray for the end of the pandemic.

Three women dressed in robes, and nine men covered in loin clothes chanted and clapped before taking the icy dip.

"I hope that soon the world and coronavirus pandemic calm down and everyone will be able to move freely," said a participant Yoshiko Shibada after the 'Misogi' ritual which refers to the Shinto tradition of washing the whole body for purification.

The event which is held on the second Sunday of each year had the added them of 'warding off epidemics' this year.


MORE Society NEWS

As crows enter their breeding season, their nest-building activities are causing concern among utility providers due to the increased risk of power outages.

Japanese company Smile-Up, the former talent agency known as Johnny & Associates, says it has sent a letter of protest to Britain's public broadcaster BBC over its program on sexual abuse by its late founder. (NHK)

Actress Akane Hotta announced on the 26th that she has married a non-celebrity man she had been dating, sharing her joy on Instagram.

POPULAR NEWS

In a significant movement in the foreign exchange markets, the Japanese yen has once again depreciated, crossing the 158 mark against the U.S. dollar. This level marks the weakest the yen has been in approximately 34 years, signaling ongoing economic pressures and potentially major shifts in Japan's financial landscape.

In a remarkable display of bravery and quick thinking, a seven-year-old girl in Kitakyushu successfully rescued her four-year-old sister who had been kidnapped. The incident, which unfolded on April 13th, began when the siblings were approached by a stranger while playing on the street.

Japan's Cabinet Office's Government Public Relations Office recently stirred controversy with a social media post showcasing an overly lavish depiction of school lunches, leading to a public outcry over the authenticity of the meals presented.

Tokyo's Shinagawa district welcomes a new landmark with the grand opening of the Gotanda JP Building on Friday, April 26, featuring a dog-friendly hotel by Hoshino Resort, co-working spaces, and a vibrant culinary scene.

Japanese company Smile-Up, the former talent agency known as Johnny & Associates, says it has sent a letter of protest to Britain's public broadcaster BBC over its program on sexual abuse by its late founder. (NHK)

FOLLOW US