Kitano Tenmangu: Joyasai and Kiribisai (New Year's Eve)
Before you go
The Joyasai and Kiribisai are the year-end rituals Kitano Tenmangu holds on Omisoka, 31 December. Joyasai reports the year's safety to the gods and prays for a peaceful new year; Kiribisai strikes new fire at Hinomikosha, the subsidiary shrine that guards against lightning and fire. By tradition, food cooked with this flame is said to bring a year free of illness.
The official site says the sacred flame is transferred to fire ropes and handed out from midnight until New Year's morning; using that fire to cook the first New Year's meals is said to bring a year without illness. This is the tradition called Tenmangu no Okeramairi.
What is Okeramairi?
You take home a fire rope carrying the sacred flame struck at Kiribisai; by tradition, cooking New Year's food with that fire brings a year free of illness.
Where is it held?
On the grounds of Kitano Tenmangu; the Kiribisai is held at the subsidiary Hinomikosha shrine.
Sources Kitano Tenmangu: annual events (31 December Omisoka)