Yakubarai: A Guide to Japan’s Ritual for Warding Off Evil
When visiting a Shinto shrine in Japan, amidst the clapping of hands and the ringing of bells, you may witness a solemn ceremony taking place in the inner sanctum. A priest, dressed in pristine robes, waves a wand adorned with paper streamers over a bowing individual. This is Yakubarai (厄払い), a profound spiritual cleansing ritual designed to drive away misfortune and restore spiritual balance.
While Japan is often celebrated for its modernity, its cultural heartbeat is synchronized with ancient rhythms. Yakubarai is one of the most enduring practices, bridging the gap between the mythological past and the anxieties of modern life. For travelers, understanding this ritual offers a window into the Japanese concept of kegare (impurity) and the pursuit of harmony.
The Origins of Purification
Yakubarai is a specific form of Harae (祓), the general term for purification in Shintoism. The core belief of Shinto is that humans are born pure. However, as we navigate life, we accumulate kegare—a form of spiritual pollution or “withered spirit.” This isn’t necessarily synonymous with “sin” in the Western sense; rather, it is akin to dust accumulating on a mirror. Kegare can be caused by negative thoughts, exposure to death or illness, or simply the wear and tear of daily existence.
The purpose of Yakubarai is not to ask for forgiveness, but to sweep away this accumulated dust. By cleansing the spirit, one restores their connection to the Kami (gods) and returns to a state of vitality and good fortune. The ritual acts as a spiritual reset button, traditionally performed when one feels a string of bad luck or is entering a particularly vulnerable period of life.
The Legend: Izanagi and the First Purification
The theological roots of Yakubarai are deep, tracing back to the very creation myths of Japan found in the ancient chronicles. The precedent for purification is attributed to Izanagi-no-Mikoto, one of the creator gods.
According to legend, Izanagi descended into Yomi (the Land of the Dead) to retrieve his deceased wife, Izanami. Upon seeing her rotting, maggot-infested corpse, he fled in horror, pursued by the hags of the underworld. After escaping and sealing the entrance to Yomi, Izanagi felt the filth of death clinging to him.
He traveled to a river in Wakamatsu to wash himself. As he bathed, he cleansed his body of the netherworld’s pollution. This act, known as Misogi, birthed some of the most important Shinto deities: Amaterasu (the Sun Goddess) was born when he washed his left eye, Tsukuyomi (the Moon God) from his right eye, and Susanoo (the Storm God) from his nose. This mythological event established the fundamental Shinto tenet that purification leads to the creation of life, order, and divinity.
Modern Culture: The Critical Years (Yakudoshi)
In contemporary Japan, Yakubarai is most commonly sought during Yakudoshi (厄年), or “calamitous years.” These are specific ages believed to be prone to misfortune, illness, or major life upheavals. The calculation is based on kazoedoshi (traditional age reckoning), where a person is one year old at birth and gains a year on New Year’s Day.
The Critical Ages
While there are minor variations, the primary Yakudoshi years are:
- Men: Ages 25, 42, and 61.
- Women: Ages 19, 33, and 37.
Among these, age 42 for men and 33 for women are considered Taiyaku (Great Calamity). The phonetic reading of 42 (shi-ni) sounds like “to die,” while 33 (san-zan) can mean “terrible” or “disastrous.” During these years, it is culturally expected for Japanese people to visit a shrine for a formal Yakubarai ceremony to ward off potential disaster. It is a communal activity; friends often remind each other, and families attend together to support the person in their critical year.
Traveler’s Tips: Experiencing the Ritual
Travelers are welcome to undergo Yakubarai, regardless of their religious background. It is a serene experience that provides a moment of introspection. Here is how to navigate it:
- Where to Go: Major shrines like Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, or Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura perform these rituals daily. Look for the reception counter, usually marked “Prayer Reception.”
- The Offering: You will need to pay a fee, called hatsuho-ryo. Prices typically range from 5,000 to 10,000 yen. It is polite to present cash in a noshibukuro (special envelope), though handing cash directly at the counter is acceptable for tourists.
- The Ceremony: You will be led into the worship hall (haiden). The priest will recite a norito (prayer) chanting your name and address to the gods. You will then lower your head while the priest waves the haraegushi (wand with paper streamers) over you. This creates a rusting sound believed to cleanse the aura.
- The Sakaki Branch: You may be asked to offer a tamagushi (sacaki branch) to the altar. Receive it with both hands, rotate it clockwise so the stem points toward the altar, and place it down gently.
- After the Ritual: You will often receive a talisman (ofuda) and sacred sake (omiki) to take home. Place the talisman on a high shelf in your home.
Note on Etiquette: Dress respectfully (smart casual is fine; avoid tank tops or flip-flops). Photography is strictly forbidden during the actual ritual inside the hall.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the mythological foundations of Japanese purification rituals, the following historical texts are essential reading:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): Completed in 712 AD, this text details the story of Izanagi’s flight from the underworld and the first misogi.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Completed in 720 AD, this provides a parallel, slightly more historical account of the myths and the imperial lineage’s connection to the gods.
- Engishiki: A 10th-century book of laws and regulations that details the specific procedures and prayers (norito) used in court rituals, many of which survive in modern Yakubarai.