Nanakusa Hitaki Fire Rite and Rice Porridge Offering at Atago Shrine

At Atago Shrine in Minato-ku, Tokyo, the "Nanakusa Hitaki" fire rite is held every January 7 at 11:00. Old talismans and charms are burned in a purifying fire, and participants pray for good health through the year by its flame; those attending the rite receive a serving of nanakusa rice porridge. Atago Shrine, said to have been founded on the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu as protection against fire, sits atop Mt. Atago, the highest natural landform within Tokyo's 23 wards, and is also known for its "Shusse no Ishidan" (Stone Steps of Success). The fire rite closes out the New Year season for worshippers seeking good health.