Saisaki-mode

Saisaki-mode (幸先詣) referred to the practice of visiting shrines and temples earlier than usual for Hatsumōde in 2021 during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This practice aimed to avoid the usual crowds of worshippers and the resultant difficulties in maintaining social distancing. The concept was first proposed by a shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture and subsequently encouraged by the Fukuoka Prefecture Shrine Agency.[1]

There is a traditional Japanese custom of exchanging end-of-year greetings, and preparing for the New Year by the end of December with a sentiment of hoping for a "auspicious start" to the year. This concept resonated well with this sentiment and quickly spread nationwide. There are also shrines and temples that refer to this practice as "Saisaki-mairi (幸先参り)".[2]

Shrines and temples that perform good luck pilgrimages
Students taking the entrance exam at Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, where a banner of "Happy New Year" is displayed.

Footnotes
  1. 「三社参り」の文化を生んだ福岡から、コロナに対応した新しい初詣様式「幸先詣（さいさきもうで）」が誕生。
  2. 2021年の初詣はココが違う！「幸先詣」や「分散参拝」など全国神社のコロナ対策＆鉄道各社の終夜運転 トラベルコ 2020年12月25日
  3. 「分散参拝」に「オンライン授与所」…神田明神に聞く、コロナ禍の初詣 ウォーカープラス 2020年11月28日
  4. 密を避け、前倒し初詣は幸先良い 時事通信 2020年12月27日
  5. 調布・コロナ禍の「深大寺」「布多天神社」初詣 分散参拝で「密」回避、「幸先詣」も みんなの経済新聞 2020年12月25日
  6. 滋賀「近江神宮」で幸先詣、新年のかるたへの対策も Lmaga.jp 2020年12月19日
  7. 奈良 春日大社「幸先詣」が静かに浸透 テレビ大阪 2020年12月23日

See also
  • "Kotobank". Kotobank (in Japanese).
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