The local shrines are getting close to ending their activities for Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year). Terakuni shrine used to have a booth selling small amounts of sweet sake, and they'd also set up a stage around Jan. 4th for throwing small packages of coins, beans and candy to the crowds. Not this year. I swung by on Sunday to catch the tail end of things, and the shrine grounds were almost deserted. Just a smattering of people coming in to pray for luck and good health for the year, a few women dressed up in expensive kimono, with equally expensive hairdos. But, nothing like past years.
I always like looking at the sign artwork. The animals are usually taken from old woodcut prints.
"Three lines, no lines, no waiting."
One of the real surprises was that the inside of the main shrine building didn't have any of the typical stacks of sake and shochu bottles this time.
There's just the one symbolic sake barrel to the right, but that's often empty and only used for appearances.
The artwork in the middle of the drum has been worn away through use. It must have really looked nice when it was new.
Some of the little wooden ox plaques. Generally, people buy these and write their wishes for the new year on the back. And that's no bull.
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