Yutate Shinji, or "Boiling Water Rituals", are a common occurrence at Shinto shrines in the winter time, and Jōnangū shrine in southern Kyoto holds their Yutate Kagura ritual on Jan. 20th each year. A ritual for good health and prevention of illness, the Yutate Kagura begins with prayers at the main sanctuary and a blessing for the onlookers. Jōnangū is known for the skill of its shrine priestesses (miko), and four of these young women perform a series of sacred kagura dances. The most dynamic part of the ritual comes with a senior priestess stirs sake, rice and salt into the pot as offerings before taking hold of sprigs of bamboo and dipping them into the pot, using them to scatter steam and boiling water around the area. Being hit by this water is even said to bring good health in the new year, and the bamboo is used afterwords as a charm for the home.
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