(Movie) Egata Shrine’s Brush Memorial Service; students preparing for exams pray for their success/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1301250014/

January 25, 2013

The ritual of visitors offering their old, used brushes=Egaraten Shrine

Celebrating the God of Scholarship, Sugawarano Michizane, a brush memorial service was held on the 25^th, at the Nikai Hall of Kamakura City's Egaraten Shrine. A New Year's tradition, where old, used brushes and pencils are placed into a bonfire.

(Movies)

Calligraphers and students preparing for their exams brought a total of 3000 brushes and pencils, adding them to the flaming hibachi in front of the main worship hall.

Within the temple grounds, emas written with prayers for the exams are set up. A bell could be heard ringing, as visitors clasped their hands and prayed at a sacred fire for progress in calligraphy and for passing exams.

Original text:

【動画】荏柄天神社で筆供養、受験生ら学業成就願う／鎌倉

2013年1月25日

使い古した筆を供養する参拝者＝荏柄天神社

学問の神様・菅原道真を祭る鎌倉市二階堂の荏柄天神社は２５日、新春伝統の「筆供養」で、使い古された筆や鉛筆を焚（た）き上げた。

【動画】

書家や受験生らが持ち寄った約３千本が、拝殿前の火鉢にくべられた。

合格祈願の絵馬が鈴なりとなった境内で、浄火に書道の上達や学業成就を願い、参拝客が手を合わせた。