Saito Goma (fire ritual)

Saito Goma is a traditional Japanese fire ritual performed at Shinto shrines to purify and grant blessings. During the ceremony, participants write symbolic wishes or prayers on strips of washi paper, which are then placed into a sacred fire. As the fire burns, it is believed to purify these offerings and transmit sincere intentions to the divine. The ritual fosters spiritual cleansing, renewal, and protection, often performed at New Year or special festivals. It combines purification, meditation, and communal prayer, embodying Japan’s deep-rooted cultural focus on harmony and spiritual well-being through fire symbolism.