Shinto Ceremony Japan

Masatsugu Okutani, 41 performs a waterfall purification ceremony at Kiyo-Taki waterfall. Purification is one of the most important aspects of Shinto as well as being at the core of Japanese culture. There are many different ways to purify oneself. Amongst them: The Grand purification ceremony conducted at the end of June and end of December each year. Purification at water fountain before entering any given sanctuary, also purification at waterfalls, rivers or at sea. The concept of purification is completely different to the one considered by western societies. In Japan, to purify means removing ones rationality and maximize ones sensitivity, and the condition of purifying is when one’s sensitivity is maximized. The reason why sensitivity is important is because there is no rationality in nature and one’s sensitivity is the source and the core of vital force. In this sense, when Japanese say purification, there is no link or reference with so-called sin in the Christian sense. Among Japanese culture, this is the core and commonality. For example, Japanese tea ceremony. The objective is to become one with the host and guest which is impossible, but is possible when both could maximize their sensitivities because when it maximized, there is no feeling of individual, no feeling of time.

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Copyright: Christopher Pillitz
Image Size: 2828x4242 / 1.5MB; ceremony christopher culture japan masatsugu okutani pillitz purification ritual ROCKS shinto spiritual tradition water WATERFALL ancient purity nature spiritual spirituality connection spirit naked cold
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Masatsugu Okutani, 41 performs a waterfall purification ceremony at Kiyo-Taki waterfall. Purification is one of the most important aspects of Shinto as well as being at the core of Japanese culture. There are many different ways to purify oneself. Amongst them: The Grand purification ceremony conducted at the end of June and end of December each year. Purification at water fountain before entering any given sanctuary, also purification at waterfalls, rivers or at sea. The concept of purification is completely different to the one considered by western societies. In Japan, to purify means removing ones rationality and maximize ones sensitivity, and the condition of purifying is when one’s sensitivity is maximized. The reason why sensitivity is important is because there is no rationality in nature and one’s sensitivity is the source and the core of vital force. In this sense, when Japanese say purification, there is no link or reference with so-called sin in the Christian sense. Among Japanese culture, this is the core and commonality. For example, Japanese tea ceremony. The objective is to become one with the host and guest which is impossible, but is possible when both could maximize their sensitivities because when it maximized, there is no feeling of individual, no feeling of time.