Weekend Scene
Island-style fun as seen through the camera’s eye


Washing and wishing

Hawaii’s Shinto shrines host a Japanese New Year’s ritual

art
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hundreds of people gathered yesterday morning at the Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu in Kalihi to receive traditional Japanese New Year's blessings for prosperity and success. Hawaii Kai residents Wiktor and Yuki Bulaj received a blessing in front of the Kotohira Shrine from Jennifer Ota, right, and Brooke Hasegawa. It was the couple's first visit to this temple.

art
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
The shrine's Rev. Masa Takizawa read a prayer in Japanese.

art
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kalihi residents Miles and Chelsea Calunod and their 1 1/2-year-old daughter, Serra, washed their hands, symbolic of purification.

art
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Tasung Yasu Yang and Aiko Shiono received a blessing from Hiroshi Yamaji in front of the Dazaifu shrine.

art
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Steven and Nobue Yoshida of Kapahulu and their 7-month-old son, Nathan, tied an Omikuji, or paper fortune, to a tree as a way of leaving their misfortunes at the shrine.

art
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Sensei Rick Beal of the Nanka Kyudo Kai in Pasadena, Calif., performed the traditional Yumi Hajime with a Japanese bow and arrow. It was the first time the "first draw of the New Year" ritual was conducted here.





BACK TO TOP
© Honolulu Star-Bulletin -- https://archives.starbulletin.com
THIS ARTICLE




E-mail to City Desk

THIS EDITION