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Today, I would like to introduce a Waka (traditional Japanese poem) associated with the Chinowa-kuguri (passing through a woven grass ring) and Nagoshi no Harae (summer purification) rituals.

"The wind rustles through the oak leaves, and the evening air by the stream feels cool like autumn. Yet, the purification ritual taking place reminds us that it is still the height of summer." (Kaze soyogu / Nara no ogawa no / yugure wa / misogi zo natsu no / shirushi narikeru)

This poem beautifully expresses the delicate sensibility of the Japanese people, who have historically lived in harmony with nature, finding a sense of "coolness" in the sound of rustling leaves and the murmuring of a stream during the hot Japanese summer.

Just the other day, June 30th, was the exact day of Nagoshi no Harae. It is a misogi (purification) event held to reset the physical and mental fatigue and impurities (kegare) accumulated over the past six months, and to pray for good health for the remaining half of the year.

The Japanese summer is hot and humid, making it a season where fatigue from the dampness can easily build up. How is everyone from overseas holding up?

The Waka poem mentioned earlier has a deep charm the more you learn about it. The setting of this poem is Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, a World Heritage site. "Nara no Ogawa" is the name of the sacred river that flows through its grounds. At this sacred river, which still exists today, the very same Chinowa-kuguri and Nagoshi no Harae rituals were being performed over 1,000 years ago.

The poet who captured this ancient lifestyle of harmony with nature is Fujiwara no Ietaka. He was a very close friend of Fujiwara no Teika, the compiler of the famous Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each) anthology. Ietaka's work is characterized by a generous, passionate style that dynamically captures the changing of the seasons.

The true appeal of Ietaka's poetry lies in his ability to capture nature using all five senses—not just sight, but also hearing and touch, such as the sound of rustling leaves or the coolness of the wind on the skin.

For those of us living in today’s busy world, taking a moment to feel the wind on our skin, or to listen to the murmuring of a stream and the rustling of leaves—turning our attention to this kind of mindfulness—might just bring a little healing and comfort to our daily lives.