Entering in prayer as the new year approaches, the production of evil-warding arrows at the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine/ Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1112010013/

Caption:  Placing on the arrowhead, shrine maidens produce ceremonial evil-warding arrows = Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine

From today until the end of the year, talismans for new years, evil-repealing arrows, are in production at the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine in Yukinoshita, Kamakura city. Various meetings are held to produce 245,000 arrows by the end of the year, in preparation for new years.

In the same temple of the arrows, the occasion where Minomoto no Yoriyoshi supressing the Zenkunen War  is celebrated. In the area of Yuiga Beach, the festival of the Hachiman God is held. The city of Kyōtō's Iwashimizu-Kachimanguu shrine sends the festival an offering of bows and arrows. The event was considered the inauguration of the Tsurugaoka-Hachimangū shrine. The arrows come in two types, with a length of 60 centimeters and 94 centimeters.

The shrine maidens and Shinto priests divide the work. The arrowheads are wrapped with Japanese style paper and attached with a bell. The arrowhead is beaten on, where during that time the sound and sensation of knocking resounds strongly.


Original text:
新年へ祈り込め、鶴岡八幡宮で破魔矢作り/鎌倉

 矢に鏑を付けるなど、破魔矢作りをする巫女ら＝鶴岡八幡宮

今日から師走。正月の縁起物の破魔矢作りが鶴岡八幡宮（鎌倉市雪ノ下）で進められている。年内に大小合わせて24万５千本を作製、新年に備える。

同八幡宮の破魔矢は、源頼義が前九年の役を平定した際、由比ケ浜の地に八幡大神を祭り、京都の石清水八幡宮から授かった弓矢を奉納したことにちなむといい、これが鶴岡八幡宮の草創とされる。長さは60センチと94センチの２種類。

 巫女（みこ）や神職らが手分けして、鏑（かぶら）を取り付けて和紙を巻き、鈴を付ける。鏑をたたいて付ける時の「コンコン」という音が心地よく響く。