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Water-splashing ritual in northern Japan

A man is splashed with cold water by another man in a nearly two-century-old ritual to pray for rich fishing and harvests, at Samegawa shrine in Kikonai in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 13, 2023.

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Water-splashing ritual in northern Japan

A man is splashed with cold water by another man in a nearly two-century-old ritual to pray for rich fishing and harvests, at Samegawa shrine in Kikonai in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 13, 2023.

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Water-splashing festival held at Hokkaido shrine

SAPPORO, Japan - A young man, kneeling on the snowy ground and wearing a loincloth, is splashed with water with two others standing beside him during a Shinto festival to pray for a good catch of fish and good harvest at Samegawa Shrine in the town of Kikonai, Hokkaido, on the night of Jan. 13. The three men and a fourth, throwing the water (not pictured), all aged between 19 and 21, participated in the ''kanchu misogi'' (purification in the cold) festival, which dates back to 1831, in temperatures of almost zero.

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Shinto ritual in northern Japan

Men splash cold water over each other during a Shinto ritual dating back to the 1830s to pray for rich catches of fish and harvests, at Samegawa Shrine in Kikonai, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 13, 2022.

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Shinto ritual in northern Japan

Men splash cold water over each other during a Shinto ritual dating back to the 1830s to pray for rich catches of fish and harvests, at Samegawa Shrine in Kikonai, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 13, 2022.

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Purification ceremony for good harvest

HAKODATE, Japan ? Young men purify hemselves with cold water to pray for good harvest at Samegawa Shrine in Kikonai town, Hokkaido, on Jan. 13, 2005. (Kyodo)

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Water-splashing festival held at Hokkaido shrine

SAPPORO, Japan - A young man, kneeling on the snowy ground and wearing a loincloth, is splashed with water with two others standing beside him during a Shinto festival to pray for a good catch of fish and good harvest at Samegawa Shrine in the town of Kikonai, Hokkaido, on the night of Jan. 13. The three men and a fourth, throwing the water (not pictured), all aged between 19 and 21, participated in the ''kanchu misogi'' (purification in the cold) festival, which dates back to 1831, in temperatures of almost zero. (Kyodo)

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Purification ritual in Hokkaido

Men throw cold water at each other to purify themselves in nearly 2 centuries-old ritual at Samegawa shrine in Kikonai, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on the night of Jan. 14, 2021.

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Purification ritual in Hokkaido

Men throw cold water at each other to purify themselves in nearly 2 centuries-old ritual at Samegawa shrine in Kikonai, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on the night of Jan. 14, 2021.

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Shinto ritual in northern Japan

Four young men splash cold water over each other during a Shinto ritual dating back to 1831 to pray for rich catches of fish and harvests, at Samegawa Shrine in Kikonai, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Shinto ritual in northern Japan

Four young men splash cold water over each other during a Shinto ritual dating back to 1831 to pray for rich catches of fish and harvests, at Samegawa Shrine in Kikonai, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Shinto ritual in snow

Four young men splash cold water over each other in snow during a Shinto ritual dating back to 1831 to pray for bumper fish catches and harvests, at Samegawa Shrine in Kikonai, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 13, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Shinto ritual in snow

Four young men splash cold water over each other in snow during a Shinto ritual dating back to 1831 to pray for bumper fish catches and harvests, at Samegawa Shrine in Kikonai, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 13, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo