Show JAPANESE STREET RITES ENTERTAIN novel ceremonies by youths attract visitors to bolyo kyo youths clad in little more than pleasant smiles are to be seen running through the streets of tokyo and other japanese cities they are a source of amusement to visiting foreigners but there is a reason they are apprentices and young workmen practicing the mizu orl or age old water purification rites in fudo temples to improve through the grace of that particular god their craftsmanship their co costumes look like abbreviated r ku u 1 klux lux man kiin robes without the they are only white cotton cloths claths loosely thrown about cold hardened bodies and other oilier smaller cloths claths wound around the head cotton catton cloth slices shoes are worn but legs are bare As they run through the streets usually in groups the youths parry carry japanese lanterns and tinkling bells bella herald their approach arid and they chant bokkon a prayer in they ask to be cleaned of the six roots of evil sometimes there are women among them years ago the apprentices wore nothing except loin cloths claths the flimsy cotton garb norn now Is not for warmth but to comply with police regulations ions these religious pilgrims start front from their homes shortly after dinner they meet in appointed places and then begin their marathon to the nearest fudo temple As they run they keep their minds on their rites and they indulge in no boyish ca prices they cliant chant unceasingly when the runners reach the temple they assemble at the well in the lie temple compound here they cost cast aside their single cloths claths and pour cold water over themselves from the tops of their heads then they offer prayer to fudo hot amasaki ama sake a sweets sweet nonalcoholic non alcoholic drink made from rice Is served to the pilgrims by the temple authorities and the homeward trip begun with the same chanting and tinkling of bells even if their prayers are not answered the followers of fudo fade believe their scantily clad exercises give them endurance hardiness and healthy circulation cul cu of the blood wind rain and snows snow do not interfere with the practicing of the rites and few of these devout believers suffer stiffer any illness from exposure |