Shrine workers prepare hamaya arrows for New Year near Tokyo

The Yomiuri Shimbun

December 3, 2021

Shrine workers attach bells and kabura tip covers to hamaya ornament arrows to prepare for the New Year at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. The arrows, believed to be able to ward off evil, are popular among shrine visitors during New Year holidays. The shrine is planning to make 125,000 hamaya arrows in two sizes by the end of the year. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the shrine is again asking visitors this year to make sure they are dispersed when paying their respects.