For people the world over, New Year’s Day symbolizes a fresh start. For followers of the Shinto religion, it is the most important cultural holiday of the year and carries spiritual significance. Shogatsu, New Year’s Day, is when the Toshigami (God of the New Year) is believed to visit homes, bestowing wishes for good health and prosperity upon families.

The faithful, in turn, go to shrines that day to pray, receive blessings from priests and purchase omamori amulets for protection and good luck. Hatsumode means the “first shrine visit in the new year.”

“When the issei (first-generation Japanese immigrants) came to Hawaii in the late 1800s to work on sugar plantations, they brought their traditions with them, including Hatsumode,” said Irene Takizawa, a board member of the Shinto shrine Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha — Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu and one of the coordinators of its Hatsumode celebration. “Our Hatsumode began in 1921 when our shrine was established, and it has continued every year except for 1947 and 1948 because of repercussions from World War II. We got that information orally from longtime neighbors and supporters, because all of the shrine’s written records were destroyed during the war.”

A ritual to give thanks for the “old” year will be performed at Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha at 11:30 p.m. tonight, including the serving of free Toshikoshi soba (“crossing-the-year buckwheat noodles”) from 11:45 to 11:59 p.m.

Immediately after midnight, Hatsumode will begin with a ceremony celebrating “the turning of the year.” Visitors can enjoy complimentary ozoni (mochi soup) for good luck from midnight to 2 a.m. and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until it lasts. A traditional New Year’s food, mochi symbolizes longevity, good fortune and family unity. Omiki, a special sake infused with 24-karat gold flakes, will also be offered free of charge.

Always a highlight is the shishimai (lion dance), which originated in China to chase away evil spirits and bring good luck and prosperity. It will be performed throughout Hatsumode except from 3 to 8:30 a.m., when visitors are the fewest.

According to Takizawa, you do not have to be Japanese or of the Shinto faith to participate in Hatsumode. Every year, Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha welcomes hundreds of people of different ethnicities and religions.

“To those who are not familiar with Shinto practices, we just make a few requests,” Takizawa said. “Behave and dress respectfully because our shrine is a sacred place. Before entering the shrine, wash your hands in the ablution basin at the entrance to symbolically purify your body, mind and spirit — to rid yourself of negative energy. When you pray, be sure to express gratitude for your life, for your loved ones and for the many blessings that you receive.”

In Shinto belief, Hatsumode sets the tone for the rest of the year. It is a time for reflection and reassessment of goals.

“At Hatsumode, you can hit the pause button in your life, so to speak,” Takizawa said. “Even if you spend just an hour there, you can make peace with the past, rejoice in the present and ponder the best path to a happy, fulfilling future.”

Shrine’s beginning dates back to 1920

Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha — Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu was established in 1920 to preserve and perpetuate Shinto traditions in Hawaii.

Four years later, the territorial government recognized the shrine as a nonprofit church, and it officially began its religious activities.

In 1931, the shrine purchased a 57,320-square-foot parcel of land in Kapalama with donations from members and the community. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Dec. 31 that year, and by 1936, thanks to numerous fundraisers, it was able to construct an office, torii (gate), community center, martial arts hall, archery range, outdoor theater and sumo ring (former Gov. George Ariyoshi’s father, Ryozo, was an amateur sumo wrestler who competed there regularly).

The shrine hosted annual festivals and was supported by 1,200 families.

Activities at the shrine stopped shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and did not resume until Dec. 31, 1947.

In 1962, the state bought three-fourths of the shrine’s land to construct a segment of the H-1 freeway. All of the shrine’s facilities were demolished.

The prayer hall and community center (now used for special events and karate, shamisen and classical Japanese dance classes) were rebuilt. There was no space to rebuild any of the other facilities.

Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha holds Shinto services on the first Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. and special events throughout the year. Private ceremonies can be arranged, including weddings, funerals and blessings by calling 841-4755 or emailing kotohira @hawaiiantel.net.

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Adapted from information provided by Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha