Japan- The traditional year-end “sweeping” or Osusuharai (lit. “sweeping away the soot or cobwebs”; cleaning) took place at the Goeido (Founder’s Hall) following the morning service on December 20, after an eleven year recess during the restoration.  Nembutsu followers from throughout Japan gathered for the cleaning.  As rows of people holding bamboo slates tapped the dust that collected over the year out of the tatami mats, another group of people fanned the dust out from the temple hall using life-sized uchiwa (flat paper fans).

Excerpt from Hongwanji Journal, January 10, 2010.