2010年12月12日日曜日

World Heritage bridge cleaned for New Year

A bridge registered as a World Heritage site in Nikko, north of Tokyo, has undergone thorough cleaning to prepare for the New Year.

The arch-shaped, vermillion-lacquered "shinkyo", or "god's bridge", is 28 meters long, and lies at the entrance to Futarasan shrine and Toshogu shrine.

On Sunday, priests at Futarasan shrine carried out a ritual to extend gratitude for safety during the year.

Priests and priestesses wearing masks and gloves dusted off the bridge railings with bamboo branches that are about 3 meters long.

Tourists took photos of the cleaning being performed under clear skies.

Year-end cleaning will also be conducted at Toshogu shrine and Rinnoji temple to prepare for worshippers during the New Year holidays.

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