Onion head: an unusual ritual in a Japanese temple surprises and puzzles

The Aruka Temple in the Japanese city of Ebina is the oldest in Sagami Province. But most of all, he is known for his unique ceremony, during which a monk puts a 2‑meter headdress in the form of a green onion on his head. This is a new tradition introduced by the head priest a few years ago. Find out for what purpose he conducts a strange ritual, from our material.

The chief priest of the Aruka temple, negi-hsien, has been conducting an unusual rite for four years, but this ceremony became known to the whole world in 2020, when photos of a Japanese monk in a strange headdress were circulated in social networks. 

The priest is dressed in a green skirt and a white shirt, and on his head is a huge green and white onion, bent so as to pass through a small loop made of rope. It doesn't make any sense, but everyone is intrigued by the process.

The chief priest was inspired to create the "green onion ritual" by the desire to soften the strict and formal perception of religion and the clergy. A few years ago, 49-year-old Miwako Kojima put on a panda head to attract more people to the Aruka Temple. Then, in 2017, a new idea came to the monk's head. Since the title of the priest "negi" in Japanese sounds the same as the word "bow", he came up with a new image and a new rite. 

The headdress in the form of an onion is made of cardboard and ordinary paper. It is covered with waxed paper on top and secured with tape.

The ceremony takes place on the street in front of the temple. Its main moment is passing through the "onion circle". The priest bends down to put an onion on his head through a loop of rope, praying for peace and help in trouble. 

Recently, a video of the ritual flew around Twitter. This year, the rope ring has become even smaller, complicating the ceremony.

The popularity of the unusual tradition inspired other monks living at the temple. They also wear hats in the form of bulbs, dance and perform strange movements. 

Japan never ceases to amaze with strange services and rituals. There is a new fashion in the country for organizing their funerals during their lifetime.