A note from the obscure Japanese customs desk: This season marks half-way through the year, so it’s a good time to shake off your sins and hope you survive the remainder. This is done through the Shinto ceremony of Chinowashinji (茅輪神事), which literally means “thatched ring ceremony”. A bit like hokey pokey, there are rules: One must hop through the ring and circle first to the left, then hop through again and circle to the right, than once again to the left. Do not break the rules. On one hand, this might be simply silly superstition; on the other, we need all the help we can get at the moment. - William
A note from the obscure Japanese customs desk: This season marks half-way throug…
