Introduction
Ekijinja Nagoshi Sai is a ceremony held on 7/31 at Ekijinjya, the sub-shrine of Yasaka shrine. With this ceremony, Gion Matsuri of the year is completed. We visit the shrine to give prayer, for Chinowa Kuguri and to make a Chinowa amulet.
What is Ekijinja shrine? 疫神社とは？
Ekijinja is a sub-shrine located near the Nishiromon gate. When we pass through it, we can spot it in front of us. It enshrines Somin Shorai.
Gozutenno, a.k.a. Susano no Mikoto Yasaka Jinja enshrines, was on his odyssey to find his future wife. One night, he asked Kotan Shorai a warm meal and bed. Kotan turned him down though he was rich. On the other hand, Somin Shorai, a brother of Kotan’s. welcomed him though he was poor.
When he left Somin, he said to him with gratitude, “I will come back here as Ekijin to destroy your country in future but I’ll save you and your descendants.” And he asked him, including his descendants, to wear Chinowa.
He said, “後世爾疫氣在者 汝蘇民將來之子孫止云天 以茅輪着腰在人者 將免止詔伎.”
Here’s a translation. “When epidemic spreads, you say you’re a descendant of Somin Shorai and wear a Chinowa. And you’ll be saved form it. Take a look at the piece of paper on Chinowa amulet in the photo. It reads, “我蘇民将来子孫也（I’m a descendant of Somin Shorai.) .”
Ekisjin is a Deity who bring people epidemics. People thought they can put down them when they take him away. This is the aim of early Gion masturi.
After that, Gozu Tenno reached Shakara palace and married Hari Sainyo. On the way back home, he exterminated Kotan’s family except Somin and his descendants.
How to make Chinowa 茅の輪のお守りの作り方
Overview
- Visit Ekijinja After Ekijinja Nagoshi Sai.
- Get Chigaya grass.
- Coil up the grass to make Chinowa.
- Put a Hineri (a piece of paper) to the Chinowa.
In 2022, the shrine didn’t offer a Chonowa grass but we could buy Chinowa Mamori (500 yen) and Hineri (200 yen).
And a piece of rice cake is available (300 yen). We believe it does good to our health.
1. Visit Ekijinja after Ekijinja Nagoshisai.
Ekijinnjina Nagoshisai started 10:00. The ceremony takes about 30 miinutes.
People wait there in line to pass through the Chinowa.
2．Have a Chigaya grass 茅を頂く
You’ll find Chigaya Grasses in the fence near Ekijinja. Have one of them.
Just one grass, OK?
Under 4″ in diameter. The ruler is 15cm (around 6″) long.
Coil it up 茅の輪を巻く
First, coil up the grass. This is a preparation and the diameter could be over 4″.
The grass is tough. Make it tender coiling it up.
When it gets tender, coil it up like a new guitar string. Tie the end of the grass with Hineri.
Put a Hineri (a piece of paper) to the Chinowa.「蘇民将来子孫也」の短冊（ひねり守）をつける
At Samusho, Ask Hineri and put a Hineri to the Chinowa you made.
Say, “Hineri Kudasai (I’d like a Hineri) .
