Kora Taisha Shrine’s Hekokaki Matsuri is a festival famous for warding off evil and keeping worshippers safe from misfortune. Participants of the ritual are those turning 60 or folks who face the prospect of a tough year ahead, and wear red loincloths as part of the purification process. The ritual then sees them pass through a large grass ring called a chinowa in order to keep bad luck at bay and turn their fortunes around – anyone can have a go so why not give it a try? Early in the morning on both days of festivities, a group of men and young children in red loincloths take part in another cleansing ritual at Ajimizumii Shrine before racing up an adjoining mountain. Special prayers will also be taking place at the shrine throughout the month of June.
Photo: Kora Taisha Shrine
• 6/1 (Sat.), 6/2 (Sun.)
• Ritual times: 7:00, 11:00, 14:00
• Free
• Kora Taisha Shrine
• 1 Mii-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• 0942-43-4893
• http://www.kourataisya.or.jp/matsuri/hekokaki
