New Year’s Bonfire (Sagicho-shinji)
左義長
The Sagicho-shinji ritual burns New Year's decorations on January 15 at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū shrine in a purifying fire believed to cleanse impurities and bring a bountiful harvest.
The Sagicho-shinji ritual, also known as Tondo-yaki or Dondon-yaki, is a folkloric event held annually at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū shrine on January 15 at 7:00 AM by the Genji Pond. New Year's decorations, kadomatsu, and other items that have been offered to the shrine are collected and burned in a purifying fire. This festival is believed to cleanse impurities and bring about a warm spring and a bountiful harvest for the year.
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