Procedure for worship at a shrine or a home altar
Before Torii (gate of shrine)
Make a bow towards Kami before entering the torii.
※ There are non-Japanese who bow while holding hands, but they are wrong. In Japan, it is only at the times of praying(, requesting something to someone, and before/after meal) to bow while holding hands.
Ablutions
We need perform ablutions before worshipping.
In shrine
- Take a Ladle with the right hand
- Ladle water
- Water a little the left hand
- Switch the ladle to the left hand
- Water a little the right hand
- Switch the ladle to the right hand
- Hold your left hand lightly to make hand bowl
- Pour water on the left hand bowl
- Rinse your mouth with water in the left hand bowl
- Water a little the left hand
- Plumb the ladle to water a little the right hand
- Put the ladle back
At home
Wash your hands and rinse your mouth
Procedure for worship
In front of Kami(Hall of worship of the shrine or your home altar)
- Make a bow towards Kami
- Intone 3 times with folded hands「祓い給へ、清め給へ、神ながら守り給へ、幸へ給へ」”Harai tamae kiyome tamae kamunagara mamori tamae sakiwae tamae” (Please purify me, sanctify me, protect me, make me happy with the power of Kami)
- Make two bows deeply towards Kami
- Clap your hands in prayer 2 times
- Make a bow deeply towards Kami
- Thank Kami with great sincerity and profoundly grateful and pray your desire
- Make a bow towards Kami