Sweeping away evil as the new year approaches, soot cleaning at the Tsurugaokahachiman shrine /Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1112140001/

Caption: The evil and filth of the year is swept out in a customary end of the year practice at the Tsurugaokahachiman shrine (Soot cleaning)= Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City

On the 13th, the year's evil and filth is swept away in a customary end of the year practice (Soot cleaning). Underway at the Tsurugaokahachiman shrine in Yuki no Shima, Kamakura City.

Approximately 150 Shinto priests and maidens participate. Using 5 meter long bamboo sticks,  the ends fitted with bamboo leaves, the tower gates and the front of the main palace within the premises are completely cleaned of dirt.

Thanks to this event on the 13th, the preparations for the new year kick off.


Original Text
厄はらい新たな年へ、鶴岡八幡宮「すす払い」/鎌倉

１年の厄や穢を払い落とす年末恒例の鶴岡八幡宮「すす払い」＝鎌倉市雪ノ下

１年の厄や穢（けがれ）を払い落とす年末恒例の「すす払い」が13日、鶴岡八幡宮（鎌倉市雪ノ下）で行われた。

 神職や巫女（みこ）ら約１５０人が参加。長さ約５メートルの竹の先にササの葉がついた「すす竹」を使って本殿前の楼門など境内各所の汚れを掃除した。

 この行事は、13日が新年の準備に取り掛かる「事始め」であることにちなむ。