Japanese laugh off bad memories at year-end ritual

Anewz

A crowd gathered at Hiraoka Shrine in Osaka for a Shinto ritual Monday, laughing for 20 minutes to wash away bad memories from the past year. Based on a Japanese myth, the event brings positive energy for the year ahead.

In a unique year-end tradition, a crowd gathered Monday at Hiraoka Shrine in Higashiosaka City, Japan, to take part in a Shinto ritual that involves laughing away the bad memories of the past year. The event, based on a Japanese myth where the gods' laughter opened a cave to release the sun goddess, saw participants laughing for 20 minutes. Many engaged in lighthearted laughter while snapping photos of each other. A 17-year-old participant from Kyoto shared how the laughter became enjoyable, helping to wash away the year's negative moments.

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