Dozens of worshipers took a deep breath and a brave plunge into icy waters at a Tokyo shrine Sunday, keeping afloat a New Year tradition to purify the soul and pray for good health.
The cold endurance event, known as “Kanchu Misogi,” drew around 100 participants – mostly men clad in white loincloths and several women in white robes – to the Teppuzu Inari Shrine.
Percussion and flute music set the mood in the shrine’s courtyard where a knee-deep pool filled with chunks of ice awaited.
Clasping their hands in front of their chests, worshipers chanted “Haraedo-no-Okami,” referring to the Goddess of purification as they prayed…