Shrine Maidens pull the Nigashi Bina out from the sea, Awashima Temple/Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203040005/

March 4, 2012

Awashima Temple's traditional Nagashi Bina event=Ashina, Yokosuka City

On the HinaMatsuri (Girl's Day Festival) of March 3, Ashina, Yokosuka City's Awashima Temple held its Nagashi Bina event.

After a Shinto ceremony on the shore of Ashida, 30 dolls were loaded onto a tiny boat by the Miko (shrine maidens), which went floating around the coast to later be pulled back in. (Pictured)

Taking into account the possibility of the boats sinking, some of dolls were substituted for papers inscribed with people’s wishes. Under the care of the maidens, they were too sent out to float on the sea.

Original text:

巫女らに引かれ「流し雛」海へ、淡島神社/横須賀

2012年3月4日

淡島神社で行われた伝統行事「流し雛」＝横須賀市芦名

ひな祭りの３日、横須賀市芦名の淡島神社で「流し雛（びな）」が行われた。

 芦名海岸で神事を執り行った後、約30体のひな人形が載せられた小舟は巫女（みこ）らの乗った船に引かれ湾内を回った＝写真。

 　環境に考慮して実際には流さず、代わりに人形を持ち寄った人たちの願い事が書かれた紙でできたお守りを巫女らが海に流した