A cleansing at sea. The Tomioka Hachiman Shrine’s “gion boat ritual” in Kanazawa-ku Bay/Yokosuka July 22, 2012

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207220010/

 From two Japanese style "wasen boats," a gion straw "cleansing boat" is released into the ocean= Kanazawa-ku Bay, Yokohama City

A straw boat able to cleanse one’s sins during the year is entrusted to float across the ocean. Called the Gion Buta, the Shinto event praying for safety and well-being was held on the 22nd in Kanazawa-ku Bay, Yokohama City. Being conducted annually by the nearby Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, the over 800 year old tradition has been designated as an invaluable city cultural asset.

Bundled into an oval shape with straw, the ship measures 70 centimeters long by 50 centimeters wide. Placed inside of it are dango dumplings and 12 gohei. Receiving an exorcism at the Hachimanguu Shrine's Grand Cleansing Festival, the straw ship is loaded into one of two wasen boats and transported out to sea. Crossing the flowing tide, it's released upon arriving at a suitable, quiet area of the sea. Seemingly escaping from the sin and filth contained in the gion ship, the two wasen row off at full speed. Gallantly yelling out "Ho-rya, Ho-rya!" they compete with each other to reach the shore.

With the sin and impurity flowing away, it’s said the arrival of a refreshing feeling can be felt during the summer.

Original text:

けがれを海へ、金沢区沖で富岡八幡宮の祇園舟神事/横浜

2012年7月22日

２隻の和船から静かに放たれた茅舟＝横浜市金沢区沖

その年のけがれを茅舟（かやぶね）に託して海に流し、無病息災を祈る神事「祇園舟（ぎおんぶね）」が22日、横浜市金沢区沖で行われた。近くの富岡八幡宮で８００年以上にわたり受け継がれている伝統行事で、市無形文化財に指定されている。

青茅を束ねて作った楕円（だえん）形の舟（長さ70センチ、幅50センチ）に団子や12本の御幣を載せた茅舟は、八幡宮の大祭式でおはらいを受け、２隻の和船に積まれて沖へと運ばれた。潮の流れがある場所までたどり着くと、静かに海へと放した。２隻は罪やけがれから逃れようと全速力でこぎ出し、「ホーリャ、ホーリャ」と勇ましい掛け声とともに競い合って岸へと向かった。

罪やけがれを流し去り、すがすがしい気持ちで夏を迎えられるという。