Laughing Ritual Held To Pray For Good Harvest


Laughing ritual held to pray for good harvest

About 20 people wearing traditional Japanese 'hakama' clothing gathered at a shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on Sunday for a "laughing ritual" called Waraiko.

The event at the Omatahachimangu Shrine dates back to the Kamakura Period some 800 years ago.

The ritual is traditionally held inside the worship hall in pairs. However, to prevent coronavirus infections, this year it happened outside and with everyone together.

The participants laughed more quietly than in a normal year to the sound of a drum beaten by the chief priest, who was wearing a face mask.

The first set of laughter is meant to express people's gratitude and joy for the year's harvest, the second is a prayer for a rich harvest next year, and the third is to forget the pain and sorrow experienced during the year.

Led by a shout from the priest, spectators attending the event joined in a second round.

Yoshitake Mitsuyoshi, who manages the ritual, says he is glad the event could be held, and that he hopes it will be a cheerful one like normal next year.