Purification - Kiyoharae

It is also called "Kiyoharai". It is a purification ritual. It also refers to the purification of various impurities. It also refers to the ritual in which a priest puts on a Joe or Kariginu and purifies the shrine and its furnishings when the construction of a shrine is completed or before worshiping the deity. It is also used when purifying vehicles or places where an accident has occurred. The Oharae, which was held in front of the Suzaku Gate of the Daidairi Palace on the last day of June and December to purify the sins and impurities of the imperial family and court officials, was suspended after the Onin War (1467-77) at the end of the Muromachi period, but was revived in 1691 (Genroku 4) and was held for a while in the west garden of the Naishidokoro. At that time, it was not called O-harae, but Kiyoharae. However, after the Meiji period, it was called O-harae again.

[Numabe Harutomo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

「きよはらい」ともいう。清めのための祓のこと。また、種々の穢(けがれ)に触れたとき、これを祓い清めること。社殿の造営が完成したときや、神霊を祀(まつ)る前に、神職が浄衣(じょうえ)もしくは狩衣(かりぎぬ)を着けて、社殿や調度を祓い清める儀礼をもいう。このほか、車両や事故のあった所を清めるときなどにもいう。また、6月と12月の晦日(みそか)に大内裏(だいだいり)の朱雀(すざく)門前で皇族ならびに朝廷役人の罪穢を除くために行った大祓(おおはらえ)は室町末期の応仁(おうにん)の乱（1467～77）後中断したが、1691年（元禄4）に再興され、しばらくは内侍所(ないしどころ)西庭で行われた。このときは大祓といわず、清祓と称した。なお、明治以降はふたたび大祓と称している。

［沼部春友］

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