Having a splashing time! Tokyo worshippers throw freezing water over themselves in Shinto ritual to welcome in the New Year
- Shinto worshippers gathered in Tokyo yesterday to purify their bodies and souls
- Participants threw freezing water over themselves in the Kanda Myojin ritual
- The cold water endurance ceremony is held annually in the Japanese capital
A group of men bathed in ice water yesterday to purify their souls and wish for good fortune in the new year in a Japanese new year ritual.
Shinto believers gathered at the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo to participate in the annual cold water endurance ceremony.
Photographs captured the moment men in white loincloths and headbands poured wooden pots filled freezing water over their nearly-naked bodies.
Worshippers, lead by a priest, gathered together in prayer before participating in the the ritual – known as Kanda Myojin.
Followers of Shintoism pay tribute to Daikoku, the deity of fortune, during the annual ritual and believe it can cleanse their body and spirits.
Men splash themselves with cold water during the annual cold water endurance ceremony at the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo, Japan yesterday
A priest and participants hold a ritual ceremony before the annual cold water endurance ceremony
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Shinto believers taking a bath in cold water will purify their souls and bodies
Shinto believers pray before bathing in cold water to purify their souls and bodies during a New Year ritual at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo
Shinto believers pray before taking a bath in cold water during a New Year ritual at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo yesterday
Followers of Shintoism pay tribute to Daikoku, the deity of fortune, during the annual ritual and believe it can cleanse their body and spirits
A man splashes himself with cold water during the annual cold water endurance ceremony which is believed to purify the soul and wish for good fortune in the new year
Photographs captured the moment men in white loincloths and headbands poured wooden pots filled freezing water over their nearly-naked bodies
Shinto believers prepare to take a bath in cold water to purify their souls and bodies during a New Year ritual at Kanda Myojin Shrine
A Shinto believer pours freezing water over his body as part of an annual new year ritual
Shinto believers wait to take a bath in cold water to purify their souls and bodies
A group of men are seen pouring wooden pots of ice water over their bodies at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo yesterday
A Shinto believer covers himself in ice water as part of the annual cold water endurance ceremony
A Shinto believer takes a bath in cold water yesterday in attempt to purify his soul
Shinto believers prepare to take a bath in cold water to purify their souls and bodies during a New Year ritual at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo
A Shinto believer pours ice water over his head and body at Kanda Myojin Shrine yesterday
Two men are pictured bathing in cold water yesterday during the annual cold water endurance ceremony in Tokyo
A man splashes himself with cold water during the annual cold water endurance ceremony
A participant pours ice water over his body during a New Year ritual at Kanda Myojin Shrine
A group of Shinto believers go for a run after having poured ice water over their bodies as part of a New Year ritual at Kanda Myojin Shrine
A Shinto believer takes a bath in cold water to purify his soul and body
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