The end of the day’s walking on the trail was at the Kumano Hongu Taisha. This temple has been the center of the Kumano Shugendo faith for over a millennia. Coming into the temple complex, I saw this dragon presiding over place for ritual purification. You take the scoop of water with your right hand and rinse your left hand. Next, with the scooper in your left hand you rinse the right. You take a bit of water in your mouth, but don’t drink it, and don’t spit it back into the water source. Finally, you rinse the scooper’s handle, clap twice, and bow. The dragon is here to make sure you get the steps right!