'Hirase Mankai' Ritual Takes Place At Amami Oshima Island

People perform the 'Hirase Mankai' at beach of Amami Oshima Island on September 17, 2015 in Tatsugo, Kagoshima, Japan. “Hirase Mankai” is a ritual performed to pray to gods who live in a realm beyond the sea known as “Neriya”. Five white-robed female priests called “Noro” stood atop a boulder while seven residents in traditional robes climbed onto another rock. The two groups faced each other and offered prayers by singing in turn. The Shochogama and Hirase Mankai ceremonies are believed to have started when Amami-Oshima island was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom from the 13th to 17th centuries.