Misogi
In its own language: 禊
from the myth of Izanagi's purification in the sea
A Shinto rite of full-body purification using cold water
Misogi is a Japanese Shinto practice of ritual cleansing through immersion in natural water. It is rooted in the myth of Izanagi's sea purification and is performed at sacred sites like waterfalls to remove impurity and unify with kami.
- Rooted in Izanagi's sea purification myth
- Performed at sacred waterfalls like Otowa no taki
- Used in aikido for mental preparation
- Involves chanting to wash away impurity
- Practiced at Tsubaki Grand Shrine in America
What it is
Misogi is a Shinto ritual of full-body purification by washing in natural water. It is often grouped with harae as misogiharae. The practice aims to cleanse spiritual impurity and align the practitioner with kami. It is considered a way to awaken inner spirit and achieve mental clarity.
Where it comes from
The tradition traces back to the Kojiki myth of Izanagi. After returning from Yomi, he purified himself in the sea at Tachibana. This act birthed Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo from his eyes and nose. This event set the precedent for water-based cleansing in Shinto.
How it is done
Practitioners begin with prayers, fasting, or physical activity. They wear white kimonos or fundoshi. Exercises include furitama spirit shaking and tori-fune rowing. Leaders chant invocations while participants join in. Salt may be thrown into the water. Participants enter the waterfall chanting phrases asking kami to wash away impurity from the six elements.
Tools and materials
Salt is used for purification. Sake may be spat into the waterfall. White clothing symbolizes purity. Headbands are worn during the rite. Cold water from springs or waterfalls serves as the primary cleansing agent.
Misogi, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Shinto
- Timing
- at dawn or sunrise
What it is for
The rite removes impurity and unifies the practitioner with kami. It prepares the mind for martial arts training. Practitioners seek to develop their Tanden or center. It is also used for general spiritual awakening and mental focus.
Who does it
Ordinary people and pilgrims perform misogi. Martial artists use it for training preparation. Morihei Ueshiba practiced it regularly. Leaders guide the chants and rituals. Participants follow specific dress codes and physical exercises.
Peoples and places
The practice is central to Japanese Shinto. Pilgrims visit Mount Ontake, Kii mountains, and Mount Yoshino. In Kyoto, visitors use Otowa no taki. The Tsubaki Grand Shrine in America hosted daily rites until 2023. Variations exist between different groups and traditions.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
Peoples
Belief worlds
Occasions
What people believe
Shinto holds that water cleanses spiritual pollution. Impurity blocks connection with kami. The six elements of the human body require purification. Chanting activates spiritual potential. Unity with kami is achieved through physical and mental alignment.
When it is done
Rites are often performed at dawn or sunrise. Daily practices occur at shrines. Pilgrimages happen year-round at sacred sites. Specific times depend on group traditions and seasonal availability of water sources.
Rites that involve Misogi
Questions people ask about Misogi
What is misogi?
Misogi is a Shinto ritual of full-body purification using cold water. It aims to cleanse impurity and align the practitioner with kami. The practice involves specific chants, exercises, and immersion in natural water sources.
Where does misogi come from?
It originates from the Kojiki myth of Izanagi. He purified himself in the sea after leaving Yomi. This act birthed major deities and established water cleansing as a key Shinto practice.
How is misogi performed?
Practitioners fast, pray, and wear white clothing. They perform spirit shaking and rowing exercises. Leaders chant invocations while participants enter waterfalls. Salt and sake may be used in the ritual.
Why do martial artists use misogi?
Martial artists like aikido practitioners use it to prepare the mind. It helps develop the Tanden or center. The ritual promotes mental clarity and focus before training sessions.
Good reading and sources
- Misogi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Misogi", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
More from Japan
All the entries from Japan
🇯🇵 JapanHyakumonogatari Kaidankai百物語怪談会
An Edo period Japanese parlour game where ghost stories extinguish candles one by oneRite · Cursing and harm · Wonder and entertainment Historical
🇯🇵 JapanKitsunetsuki狐憑き
A Japanese folk belief in which a fox spirit enters and controls a human host.Belief · Cursing and harm · Speaking with spirits and the dead Historical
🇯🇵 JapanSetsubun節分
A Japanese seasonal rite to drive away bad luck and welcome spring with roasted beansRite · Protection · Luck and prosperity Living
🇨🇳 China and 4 moreKitchen God灶君
The Chinese hearth deity who reports domestic conduct to the Jade EmperorBeing · Protection · Luck and prosperity Living
Related elsewhere
All rite
🇮🇩 IndonesiaNyepiᬜᬾᬧᬶ
A Balinese day of total silence, fasting, and self-reflection to mark the new year.Rite · Cleansing and purification · Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
🇵🇾 Paraguay and 3 moreGuarani mythology
The oral traditions of the Tupi-Guarani peoples regarding gods, spirits and creationTradition · Speaking with spirits and the dead · Power and authority Living
🇮🇶 Iraq and 5 moreGrimoire
A textbook containing instructions for spells, rituals, and the creation of magical objects.Text · Protection · Healing Historical
🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreMedicine wheel
Circular stone formations built by Indigenous peoples of North America for ceremony and astronomy.Tradition · Speaking with spirits and the dead · Power and authority Living