Thousands pray in Japan on the first day of business
Company representatives visit the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo to ask for luck and prosperity as Japanese stocks tumble. The Topix index posted its worst opening day since 2008, as the yen jumped after Chinese factory data disappointed investors.
People pray on the first day of business in 2016 at the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.Yuriko Nakao/Bloomberg
A Shinto priest blesses businessmen for the prosperity of their firms during a ceremony at Kanda Myojin Shrine in downtown Tokyo.Eugene Hoshiko/The Associated Press
Businessmen leave the Kanda Myojin Shrine after prayers at the start of the new business year in Tokyo, Japan.Thomas Peter/Reuters
People pray on the first day of business in 2016. Japanese stocks tumbled, with the Topix index posting its worst opening day to a year since 2008.Yuriko Nakao/Bloomberg
Several thousand company representatives traditionally visit the shrine on the first day of business in the new year to ask for luck and commercial fortune.Thomas Peter/Reuters
A shrine maiden blesses Japanese businessmen for the prosperity of their firms during a ceremony at Kanda Myojin Shrine in downtown Tokyo.Eugene Hoshiko/The Associated Press
People pray on the first day of business in 2016.Yuriko Nakao/Bloomberg
Businessmen enter the Kanda Myojin Shrine for a religious ceremony after prayers at the start of the new business year in Tokyo, Japan.Thomas Peter/Reuters
Visitors offer prayers at Kanda Myojin shrine.Eugene Hoshiko/The Associated Press
A Shinto priest hands out sakaki branches to a man as he gives blessing to visitors at the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo, Japan.Yuriko Nakao/Bloomberg