In Japan, cleanliness is cultural and synonymous with well-being. That’s down in no small part to the influence of Shintoism, the country's oldest religion. While the number of believers has been steadily decreasing for some time, Shinto philosophy and culture are still widely practised.

Cleanliness is seen not just as a physical state but also a spiritual one, as it is closely tied to the respect and reverence shown to Shinto gods. Following this line of thinking, many Japanese people engage in an annual Buddhist cleaning ritual called "Oosouji," aimed at purifying and organising their interiors before entering a new period.

What does "Oosouji" mean? What are the steps to follow during "Oosouji"? What are the benefits of it? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

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