Suwa Shrine (Nagasaki)
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Suwa Shinto shrine was constructed in 1624, after the Tokugawa Bakufu government had taken power and begun forcing Christians to reconvert to Buddhism. In 1634 a great autumn festival was held at the shrine. This marked the beginning of the famous Kunchi festival which continues to this day. Kunchi festival is held from October 7 to 9 every year and is considered one of the three major festivals of Japan, being designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset. Every year, thousands of Nagasaki citizens visit Suwa Shinto shrine to pray for a year of peace and prosperity. Passing under the huge entrance torii arch, and climbing the first flight of stone steps, the visitor notices a deity devoted to purification on the left. "Oharai" or purification sumbolises the purification of the mind prior to prayer. On both sides of the great upper gate, deities holding bows and arrows stand on guard. At the stone wash basins, visitors wash their hands and mouth before praying at the main altar. In front of the offertory box they make a small monetary offering, then bow twice, clap twice and bow once again. The English language fortunes are the oldest English shrine fortunes in Japan and are still popular among visitors to Nagasaki. Fortunes are divided into "Best luck", "Average luck", "Good", "Half luck", "Partly bad luck", "Worst", "Bad luck but turns good", and "Luck in the end". Visitors tie bands of paper round the legs of the stone-carved guardian dogs and pray for help with things such as stopping smoking and success in examinations.
