Operation at the Oohara Temple: Preparing for the new year by placing a large 8 meter shimenawa

Translated from the original article at: http://www.ryoutan.co.jp/news/2011/12/19/004534.html

Caption: The longest shimenawa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimenawa) placed on the main shrine.

The Oohara Temple in the town of Sanwa, Oohara, in the city of Fukuchiyama is known for (representing) the God of Fertility. The Chief Priest is Hayashi Hidetoshi. On the 18th, a large Shimenawa will be produced and put up, which occurs every two years. Area locals put the finishing touches on the straw, where it was then placed on the main temple, in preparation for welcoming the new year.

The production of large shimenawas continues from ancient times. In recent years, the local elder group (Presided over by Kobayashi Hideo) has been in charge. From last time (two years before), a local village, Oohara Ubaya No Sato  began operation of a promotion council (also presided by Kobayashi).

The Shimenawa for the main shrine is eight meters long. On the sides of the main temple, are shrines for “Hino,” a Fire God, using six meter ropes. The flood gate shrines use a triad of three meter ropes. The straw came from a sacred rice field near the shrine, whose harvest was used to make 250 bundles of glutinous rice.

　

A total of twenty members combined from both associations gathered. From the morning, they started work at the Ema shrine. The thickest Shimenawa was used at the main shrine, measuring 30 centimeters in circumference, being braided from three ropes. The elders indicated that the Shimenawa were skillfully made. While traveling through the three locations, they attached tassels and shide to the Shimenawa.

　

Finished with the Shimenawa, ladders were used to place it upon the gable on the front of the main shrine, where a three dimensional dragon had been carved.

Chief Priest Hayashi (Age 55) explained: "We were given enough time to beautifully create and finish the Shimenawa. Next year is the Year of the Dragon. We pray that year gives us the energy to ascend to the heavens."

At the same shrine, from the last day of the year until the third day of the new year, the main temple will be lit up, and front will be conferred with lucky talismans and evil-warding arrows.

Original Text

迎春準備に８メートルの大しめ縄　大原神社で取り付け作業

写真＝一番長い大しめ縄は本殿に取り付けた

安産の神様として知られる福知山市三和町大原の大原神社（林秀俊宮司）で１８日、２年に一度の大しめ縄作りが行われた。地元の人たちがわらをなって仕上げ、本殿などに取り付けて、迎春準備を進めた。

大しめ縄作りは大昔から続けられており、近年では地元老人会（小林英夫会長）が担ってきたが、前回（２年前）から、地元の大原うぶやの里活性化推進協議会（小林会長）が加わって作業している。

本殿用は長さ８メートルで、このほか、本殿そばにある火之神神社用の６メートル、水門神社用の３メートルの計３本をこしらえた。わらは神社近くの「神田」で収穫されたもち米のものを使い、約２５０束を用意した。

両会の会員約２０人が集まり、朝から絵馬殿で作業。本殿用の大しめ縄は一番太いところで直径約３０センチあり、三重に編んでいった。長老たちの指示で、手際良く仕上げ、途中３カ所に房を付け、紙垂も取り付けた。

出来上がったしめ縄は、本殿正面の龍が丸彫りされた唐破風に、はしごを使って取り付けた。

林宮司（５５）は「時間をかけてきれいに仕上げてもらった。来年は辰年。天に昇る勢いのある年になることを願っています」と話していた。

同神社では、おおみそかから正月三が日、本殿のライトアップをして、社頭では縁起物や破魔矢などを授与する。