Temple offering
Kyushu Islan, Japan
The colorful ribbons hanging from the rafter in this temple are grasped (as this women is doing) and swung to ring the bell perched at the top. The bell is rung after you put an offering in the offering box, perhaps so God will know.
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E (Gaijin Henro) writes:
The ringing of the bell is to alert the Deities or Gods that you are there.
The older gentleman has the typical stoop of someone who has worked in the fields all his life. Some people appear to be bent completely over.
I was amazed to see one older lady right herself and balance precariously with her hips thrust forward - a stance that is usually only momentary.