ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ōharae-shiki

Okay kiddo, have you heard of a special ceremony in Japan called the ōharae-shiki? It's a really important ritual that happens twice a year where people pray for purification and cleansing of their souls.

During this ceremony, priests wear special robes and perform many different rituals and chants in front of a special mirror called the Yata-no-Kagami. This mirror is said to symbolize the goddess of the Sun and embodies the divine spirit.

People who attend the ceremony also bring special paper streamers called shide, which represent purification and are hung around the area.

It's believed that by participating in the ōharae-shiki, people can rid themselves of any impurities or negative energy they may have accumulated throughout the year and start fresh. It's a very important and meaningful event in Japanese culture.
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