Japanese Take Ice Bath

This next story is quite a sight. One group of Japanese are taking the idea of purifying themselves to new heights. This isn't for the faint of heart.
Dozens of Japanese pour ice cold water over themselves in a traditional 'soul-purification' ceremony at a Tokyo shrine to wish for good luck in 2009.

Braving winter temperatures, dozens of people showed up at a Japanese shrine on Saturday (January 10) wearing only shorts or loincloths before taking a 'purification' dip in ice cold water.

At the annual New Year's ceremony at Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo, participants offered prayers and chants before they jogged around the shrine grounds and stepped into a pool of ice water.

Then, they poured water over themselves - an action they believe would purify their souls and bring them good luck.

Bathing in cold water, or standing under waterfalls is a traditional Shinto purification rite.

[Mizutaka Kanazawa, 35-Year-Old]:
"I felt numb in the water. Now it hurts."

[Shiroh Motohashi, Participant]:
"Going into the water wasn't much problem, but when you get out of it, you really start feeling cold."

The day-time temperature in Tokyo on Saturday fell as low as 3 degrees Celsius, or 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• japan
• ice bath
• soul purification
• tokyo
• new year ceremony
• kanda myojin

[frbe0101]

Here in canada this kind of thing is how we bath in the winter, no big deal.

[JorgeHeavy69]

SI ESK SON TONTOS Y NO AY OTRA

[Isawanangel1X]

different strokes for different folks..oops that's not punny, this is cool..literally