"Easy class," Algren announced as the students filed into the Danger Shop today. "We're going to be covering proper etiquette when entering a Shinto shrine."

As he spoke, the danger shop shifted, so that the students were standing in a wooded area with a building set in the middle, a series of gates, stairs, lanterns, and fountains leading up to it.

"Before we actually get to exploring the shrine, a quick explanation of its purpose is probably in order," he continued. "A Shinto shrine exists for the purpose of housing a Shinto Kami, essentially a spirit or deity. When you're walking into a Shinto shrine, you're walking into a sanctuary for these Kami, and you're expected to show the respect due to such a place." He cracked a bit of a smile. "I'm certain it won't surprise you by now that the Japanese have a set way of conducting themselves when they visit such places."

Walking up the stairway, Algren gestured to different areas in the courtyard as he spoke.

"As you're walking through the main gate, or torii, it's polite to bow, and then walk along the left of the path on your way to this- The fountain, or chozuya- where you'll wash your hands. It's a purification sort of thing. Just go with it." He demonstrated, lifting a ladle that was resting nearby in his right hand, pouring water over his left hand, and then repeating the process again in reverse. Next, he poured some water from the ladle into his palm, put that water into his mouth, rinsed, and spat.

... Not back into the fountain, no.

After rinsing the ladle off in the remaining water and putting it back where he found it, he turned to look back at the class.

"After you've purified yourself, make your way to the sanctuary, bow, and ring the bell to get the Kami's attention. Toss some money into the offertory box, bow twice, clap twice, and bow again." After some time spent in Japan, Algren had finally gotten to the point where he could demonstrate this without feeling vaguely as though he was performing the newest steps to the Hokey Pokey. "Clap again, this is a purity thing, too, and then put your hands together. From here, you can make your wishes, or do your praying, or whatever it is that you've come to the shrine for. When you're finished, bow, take three steps backward, and bow again. You can leave, but don't show your back to the Kami."

Presumably so that they wouldn't kick you in the behind on the way out. He'd never really asked why. It was just the way of things.

"A few other things to keep in mind before I let you poke around, here. First, respect. I can't stress that much enough. You're in the sanctuary of a deity, behave with the same consideration that you would expect from somebody visiting your place of worship. When you ring the bell, ring it just once. You're not here to make music, and I'll give you dirty looks if you try." His dirty looks could be downright terrifying. It was absolutely a valid threat. "If you're ill or in mourning, it's generally a bad time to visit a shrine. Illness and extreme grief are considered impurities, and you could risk tainting the location. If they're selling incense, it's good form to buy some and light it. The smoke supposedly possesses healing powers. Which might come in handy after a weekend of battling ugly, scaly green things."

Algren hadn't really noticed any great improvement in his general health since the Danger Shop program kicked in, so he had his doubts as to the validity of that statement.

"No real assignment, today. Just look around the shrine. Feel free to give purifying yourself at the fountain a try, or to just nap on the steps. After the past few days, I won't hold it against you."

[OCD on the way up!]