As we welcome the new year, our traditional first shrine visit of the year is to the Toshi-machi shrine in Hamamatsu.Hamamatsu Gosha ShrineWe have arrived at Suwa Shrine!
This shrine was established in 1962 when the two shrines were merged and reborn as Goshajinja Suwa Shrine. The current shrine building was completed in 1982, and the deities of both shrines are enshrined within a single building. It is a shrine where people pray for protection from evil, business prosperity, traffic safety, safe childbirth, and success in exams!
Before offering your prayers, be sure to purify yourself in the proper order at the purification fountain provided on the shrine grounds!
The order for purifying your hands is as follows: First, take the ladle in your right hand and wash your left hand, then take the ladle in your left hand and wash your right hand. Finally, take the ladle in your right hand again, fill your left hand with water, rinse your mouth with that water, and then, using the remaining water, hold the ladle upright and pour the water over the handle to purify the ladle. This purification is done in the cold air, enduring numb fingertips!
This year, I missed the first three days of the New Year's Day, so the stalls had already closed, and the temple grounds were quiet. However, there were many people returning to work, and I saw many people in suits!
Following last year, 2018 marks the end of my husband's unlucky year (as he was born in 1976), so I requested a prayer for protection against misfortune at the main shrine. While giving thanks for the safety of the past year, I prayed for a year of peace and tranquility for all family members, as well as for the prosperity of the company and peace in general!
I sincerely hope that this year will be a wonderful one for everyone!
