footbridge and ToriiKasuga Shrine is not the most famous shrine in the centre of Nobeoka but it is a very good one to visit. Kasuga is made up of the Chinese characters 春 which is used for the Japanese word for Spring, 'haru' and 日, the character meaning day, 'hi'. Therefore the name of this shrine can be read as 'Spring Day'. A small and ancient stone footbridge spans a dry bed of what was once a flowing stream. Beyond the bridge, the torii stands as usual, the gateway into the shrine. Hanging from the crossbeam, sacred rope and the white pendants, used in Shinto ritual. Once through the torii, a world of tranquility and peace exists, possibly becuase sedate trees envelop the shrine like a protective shield.
Kasuga Shrine At Kasuga, as with all Shinto shrines, it is important to purify oneself before proceeding further into the shrine. This is called 'Temizu' - literally meaning 'hand-water'. Using a ladle one must pour water over your hands and wrists, sometimes your feet also. Sometimes visitors to a shrine may even rinse their mouth too. Once completing this rite, it is possible to walk around the shrine.
Shrines all across Japan become the focus point of New Year celebrations. People go to pray for fortune in the coming year. At Kasuga, the Shinto priest waves a small tree branch adorned with white pennants to bring worth good luck and health. Once the prayer is completed, a person claps his hand together twice and rattles a fairly large bell. Afterwards, it is common to collect your personal fortune, a Omikuji. There are various levels that one can recieve in this sacred lottery, ranging from a great blessing to a great curse.
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