“Yaku Otoshi,” an annual event at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine to drive out evil /Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212130029/

December 14, 2012

A look at bamboo dusters being used to cleanse each part of the temple grounds=Kamakura City's Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine

Driving away the year's evil energy and dirt, the annual soot sweeping ritual took place on the 13th at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine of Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City.

100 temple staff and miko (shrine maidens) participated. Using bamboo dusters, 5 meter bamboo sticks with bamboo grass attached at the end, they wiped off the dirt from everywhere within the temple, including the front of the main shrine and the tower gates.

For the temple, this event held on the 13th is part of their preparations taken to kick off the New Year.

Original text:

鶴岡八幡宮で恒例の厄落とし／鎌倉

2012年12月14日

「すす竹」を使って境内各所の汚れを落とす様子＝鎌倉市の鶴岡八幡宮

一年の厄や穢（けが）れをはらい落とす年末恒例の「すす払い」が１３日、鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮で行われた。

神職や巫女（みこ）ら約１００人が参加。長さ約５メートルの竹の先にササの葉を付けた「すす竹」を使って本殿前の楼門など境内各所の汚れを落とした。

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。