Ōharae-shiki

Ōharae-shiki is a Shinto ritual also known as the Great Purification. The name Oharae literally means Great Harae.

The ritual was held biannually as a festival at the end of the sixth and twelfth months, but also on an ad hoc basis whenever a great purification was needed, such as after someone committed an offense, or a Daijosai or an unmarried prince or princess visited Ise Jingu or the Kamo Shrines.

It is hosted annually on June 30 and on December 30. The latter is sometimes held on New Year's Eve.

The Engishiki specified imperial involvement with four festivals, the Kinen-sai, the two Ōharae-shiki and Niiname-no-Matsuri for tribute.

Oharae no Kotoba are prayers used in this process.

It is also done at Isonokami Shrine

History
Historians state that regular Ōharae rites started at the end of the seventh century. They evolved over time, especially through the fifteenth century. These changes were linked to updates in the ritsuryō system, a set of laws and rules, in the eighth century.

In the Edo period (1603–1868), Ōharae changed again. In the Meiji period (1868–1912), some parts of the old rite were reestablished.

Purification became more important to prepare for this ritual and Yoori became more prominent in the Meiji restoration.

Minazuki-barae
People often mix up the Ōharae in the sixth month with Minazuki-barae (水無月祓), another purification rite that takes place at that time. However, each had its own purpose and importance in court rituals.