SHIMOSUWA, Nagano -- A rare Shinto "porridge ritual" to predict the state of society and harvests for the year was held from the night of Jan. 14 to early next morning, coinciding with the traditional lunar calendar New Year.

The "Tsutsu-gayu shinji" ritual took place at Suwa Taisha's Shimosha Harumiya shrine in Shimosuwa, Nagano Prefecture, where this year's prediction for "society" was rated 3.6 out of 5, the same as last year. A shrine representative commented, "The tubes were neatly filled with porridge. We hope for a calm year without disasters or erratic weather, with crops growing well." The ritual is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the Suwa region and is known for its accuracy.

The event began on the night of Jan. 14 in the Tsutsu-gayu-den hall, with its doors left open to the elements. Forty-four reed stems were bundled together, each inscribed with the names of 43 crops, including grains, vegetables and fruits, as well as the Japanese word for "society." These stems were placed in a pot containing rice, adzuki beans and water, which was cooked overnight over a traditional Japanese open hearth. The fire was lit using a wooden stick rubbed to create friction, a traditional method.

Seven Shinto priests, including deputy chief priest Masuhiro Murakami, oversaw the cooking process while chanting purification prayers. At 5 a.m. on Jan. 15, the priests removed the reed stems from the pot and cut them vertically with small knives in the Heihaiden hall. The divine message was interpreted based on the amount and condition of the porridge inside the stems.

Mayumi Ishiji, a 65-year-old haiku poet from Machida, a suburb of Tokyo, attended the event and offered a ritual dedication. She shared her hopes for the year, saying, "Haiku poems capture the natural world and human activities, so I wish for a year without disasters and filled with peace."

(Japanese original and video by Kazunori Miyasaka)