Wakayama, Jan 28 (News On Japan) –
With one week remaining till Setsubun on February third, preparations of auspicious decorations generally known as “kicho” are in full swing at Kumano Hayatama Taisha in Wakayama Prefecture.
“Kicho,” that means an indication of excellent fortune, are conventional good-luck charms which are believed to carry family security and enterprise prosperity when displayed throughout Setsubun.
At the World Heritage-listed shrine in Shingu, shrine maidens and clergymen are busily attaching brightly coloured rice desserts, sea bream, koban-shaped cash and different symbolic objects to small willow branches collected from the shrine grounds.
Kumano Hayatama Taisha says a complete of round 1,200 kicho, in varied sizes, can be made by the point Setsubun arrives.
Source: YOMIURI