東大寺二月堂声明（XI）例事作法・貝・数取懺悔・走り

Here are researches made into the composition of the music found in each of the religious services, Reijisaho, Kai, and Kazutori-Sange displayed on the occasion of the Shunie. Reijisaho is a service offered to the Iand of the Blessed, which takes place in the room for rituals, Reiji-no-ma, situated in the south-western corner of the Hall, every day at the falling of the dark. On the first day, however, it comes immediately after the rites at the Sojinsho. The time required for the service is less than five minutes. Chanting services, such as Shibujo, Dokyo (Amidakyo), Gobai, Sanjo-shakujo, and Amidasan, are presided over by the Shushi, officiating priest, Each of the chants is considerably clear in its beginning, but its later part and some other sutras are dealt with in rather rapid tones or what is called mokusho, which means chanting in mind. Pilgrim's staves, shakujo, are used without ceasing in the course of the service chanting. Kai, trumpet-shell blowing, which follows Shoya, Goya, Kekasaho, and Kigansaho, helps to create an atmosphere appropriate to the occasion of inviting the gods, and it is the only scene that renders one hear the genuine sound of the trumpet-shells. The performance comes to its climax when the trumpet-shells are sounded in concert, With the tunes of Kotaka and Ogiri blown respectively at the south seat, Nanza, and the north seat, Kitaza, in the inner temple. The variation of tones, which comes at the turning point from the early-evening period, Shoya, to the late-hour period, Goya, is worthy of notice as well. The ritual of Kazutori-Sange is held following the rituals in the daytime, four times during the Shunie --on 5th, 7th, 12th, and 14th of March. Next to the rites for Sange or atonement, Shidai-Sange, executed by common priests, Hirashu, three priests at the upper seat make what is called Senrei, one thousand bows, the four seated in front of the altar Nisenrei, two thousand bows, and the three in the house for prayer, Raido, Sanzenrei, three thousand bows respectively in accordance with the indications by the the Tsukasa, who presides over the rite. After that the grand officiating priest, Daidoshi, offers a prayer to the gods. This ritual, one of the most important services, which is executed on the four days, has a particular significance. The ritual Hashiri meaning 'running' is held on the last three days of the first seven days, Johichinichi, and of the latter seven days, Gehichinichi, after the midnight recess. This service, as well as the Dattan, exhibits exceedingly active and dynamic scenes. In the beginning of the ritual all of the priests go the rounds of the inner temple with wooden clogs called sashikake on, praying all the while. Then each of the three at the upper seat goes out by turns into the Raido, and sfter stooping down with his right knee on a board shaped like a spring board flings himself against the wooden floor again and again for atonement before going back to his own seat. The other eight, leaving the clogs behind one after another, gradually quicken their steps into running, go out into the Raido, and follow in the footsteps of the three by turns. After that they return to theie seats. Thus the last one is required to keep running and make more than fifty circuits to wait for his turn. The austerities being over, each of the ascetics is treated by the Tsukasa to a bit of Kozui, sacred water drawn from the Well of Wakasa for the offering to the altar. Beautiful is the melody of the priests' chants returning thanks to the gods, "Namu Saijo!