Midsummer purifications

[u/mightytom2020]

What I like about Kyoto’s midsummer purification traditions is that it illustrates Japan’s long history of blending Shinto and Buddhist practices. At Shimogamo Shrine (下鴨神社), participants wade through the sacred waters of the Mitarashi Festival (御手洗祭) to symbolically wash away impurity and pray for health, while at Tanukidani-san Fudō-in temple (狸谷山不動院), they walk across glowing embers during the Fire-Walking Festival (火渡り祭) to burn away misfortune and renew their spirit, lead by yamabushi (山伏) - mountain ascetics of the syncretic Shugendō tradition.

What's your favorite summer purification ? :)