Shinto priests arrive for a funeral for the late Prince Mikasa, the younger brother of former Japanese Emperor Hirohito, at Toshimagaoka imperial cemetery in Tokyo, Japan, November 4, 2016. REUTERS/Koji Sasahara/Pool 

A Shinto priest walks in front of thousands paper lanterns, which were displayed and lit up the precincts of the shrine, where more than 2.4 million war-dead are enshrined during the Mitama Festival at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan July 13, 2016. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A Shinto priest waits for Japanese lawmakers to return from the main building of the Yasukuni shrine where they pay respects to the country's war dead in Tokyo, Japan April 22, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter 

A staff member of the shrine (C) bows as Shinto priests walk after a ritual to cleanse themselves during Annual Spring Festival at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo April 21, 2015. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual offering on Tuesday to a Tokyo shrine for war dead, a senior spokesman said, a day before he hopes to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a leaders' summit in Jakarta. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Eighty one-year-old Sakon Haba (L) wearing loin cloth walks past a police station after he bathed in ice-cold water at the Teppozu Inari shrine in Tokyo January 11, 2015. According to organizers, about 100 participants took part in the Shinto ceremony to purify their souls and wish for good health in the new year. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Men ride on a "mikoshi" or portable shrine as local people carry it into the sea during a festival to wish for calm waters in the ocean and good fortune in the new year in Oiso, west of Tokyo, January 1, 2015. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY ENVIRONMENT ANNIVERSARY) 

A Shinto priest looks behind a cover during ceremonies bidding farewell to 2014, ahead of New Year's Day, at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo December 31, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (JAPAN - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

People release doves as they pray for the war dead at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo August 15, 2014, on the 69th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two. Japanese cabinet ministers paid their respects at the Tokyo shrine seen as a symbol of past militarism on Friday and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also sent an offering, moves likely to anger Asian neighbours and put at risk attempts to improve regional ties. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT ANNIVERSARY ANIMALS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Women in kimonos stand at the Yasukuni Shrine during its Annual Spring Festival in Tokyo April 22, 2014. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Tuesday that the Japanese government should not interfere if a lawmaker pays a visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, as an individual. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) 

A shrine attendant cleans at the Yasukuni Shrine before its Annual Spring Festival in Tokyo April 22, 2014. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Tuesday that the Japanese government should not interfere if a lawmaker pays a visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, as an individual. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) 

The Yasukuni Shrine's Shinto priests prepare for its Annual Spring Festival in Tokyo April 22, 2014. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Tuesday that the Japanese government should not interfere if a lawmaker pays a visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, as an individual. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

"Spill", a stainless steel vessel by Subodh Gupta is seen on display during ''The Spring 2-14 Sales of Asian Art Week" media preview at Christie's Auction House in New York March 13, 2014. Ancient ritual wine vessels, modern contemporary paintings and masterpieces representing Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism and Shintoism are among highlights of Asian week art sales in New York next week.
Picture taken March 13, 2014. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY) 

A Japanese iron articulated model of a dragon from the Edo period (18th and 19th century) is seen on display during ''The Spring 2-14 Sales of Asian Art Week" media preview at Christie's Auction House in New York March 13, 2014. Ancient ritual wine vessels, modern contemporary paintings and masterpieces representing Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism and Shintoism are among highlights of Asian week art sales in New York next week.
Picture taken March 13, 2014.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY) 

A Densatil-style Tibetan gilt bronze sculpture of a Nagaraja from the 15th century is seen on display during the ''The Spring 2-14 Sales of Asian Art Week" media preview at Christie's Auction House in New York March 13, 2014. Ancient ritual wine vessels, modern contemporary paintings and masterpieces representing Buddhism, Hinduism. Daoism and Shintoism are among highlights of Asian week art sales in New York next week. Picture taken March 13, 2014.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY) 

A large famille rose enamelled turquoise-ground 'bats' vase (1736-1795) is seen on display during the ''The Spring 2-14 Sales of Asian Art Week" media preview at Christie's Auction House in New York March 13, 2014. Ancient ritual wine vessels, modern contemporary paintings and masterpieces representing Buddhism, Hinduism. Daoism and Shintoism are among highlights of Asian week art sales in New York next week.

Picture taken March 13, 2014. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY) 

The 'Min' Fanglei bronze ritual wine vessel is seen on display during ''The Spring 2-14 Sales of Asian Art Week" media preview at Christie's Auction House in New York March 13, 2014. Ancient ritual wine vessels, modern contemporary paintings and masterpieces representing Buddhism, Hinduism. Daoism and Shintoism are among highlights of Asian week art sales in New York next week.
Picture taken March 13, 2014. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY) 

Men wearing loin cloths pray as they bathe in ice-cold water at the Teppozu Inari shrine in Tokyo January 12, 2014. According to organizers, about 100 participants took part in the Shinto ceremony to purify their souls and wish for good health in the new year. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Businessmen wearing Shinto vests offer prayers before the altar at the start of the new business year at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo January 6, 2014. About 3,000 company representatives visit the shrine during the first few days of the new business year, according to the shrine, to seek good luck and prosperous businesses. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) is led by a Shinto priest as he visits Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo December 26, 2013. Abe visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine for war dead on Thursday, in a move likely to anger Asian neighbour China and South Korea. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Women in kimonos stand at the Yasukuni Shrine during the Annual Autumn Festival in Tokyo October 18, 2013. Japanese internal affairs minister Yoshitaka Shindo and more than 100 other lawmakers visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine for war dead on Friday, a move likely to anger Asian victims of Japan's past aggression. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT RELIGION) 

A Shinto priest bows at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo October 18, 2013. Japanese internal affairs minister Yoshitaka Shindo and more than 100 other lawmakers visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine for war dead on Friday, a move likely to anger Asian victims of Japan's past aggression. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT RELIGION) 

A Shinto shrine gate, with the moon behind it, is seen amidst Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa, in Takashima, Shiga prefecture in western Japan April 6, 2012. Prefectures like Shiga, which have never been courted by the nuclear industry but lie close enough to reactors to be wary of them, are emerging as a serious complication for government and industry efforts to get nuclear power running again. Picture taken April 6, 2012. To match Analysis JAPAN-NUCLEAR/SHIGA REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY ENVIRONMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY DISASTER) 

A man prays in front of urns containing the ashes of deceased people killed by the March 11 tsunami, at a temple in Otsuchi, Iwate prefecture, over one month after the area was devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami, April 17, 2011. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: DISASTER) 

Mongolian-born grand sumo champion Yokozuna Hakuho performs the New Year's ring-entering rite at the annual celebration for the New Year at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 6, 2011. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (JAPAN - Tags: SPORT SOCIETY) 

People offer prayers at the start of the new business year at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo January 4, 2011. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Shrine maidens and Shinto priests march after a New Year's Shinto ritual at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto, western Japan January 5, 2010. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN - Tags: RELIGION) 

New Zealand's "Haka" dancers and Japan's "Shinto" priest (R) attend an unveiling ceremony of Giant Rugby Ball next to Tokyo Tower in Tokyo October 28, 2009. The world largest rugby ball that measures 25 meters (82 feet) long and 13 meters (42 feet) high sited next to the Tokyo's landmark and it will promotes New Zealand's Rugby World Cup 2011 and its tourism industry. The inside of the ball features 360degree large screen. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (JAPAN SPORT) 

A man wearing a loin cloth holds onto ice as he bathes in ice-cold water at the Teppozu Inari shrine in Tokyo January 11, 2009. About 60 participants took part in the Shinto ceremony to purify their souls and wish for good health in the new year. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Men splash themselves with ice-cold water during a winter season purification ceremony at the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo January 10, 2009. Some 33 people, including several women, took part in the New Year purification ceremony. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN) 

Shinto priests arrive for a ceremony marking 20 years of the late Emperor Hirohito's death at the Musashino Imperial mausoleum in Tokyo January 7, 2009. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Shinto priests walk through a torii gate after a Shinto ritual to usher in the New Year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo December 31, 2008. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Shinto priests bow during a purification ceremony at the Meiji Shrine before a Shinto ritual to usher in the New Year in Tokyo December 31, 2008. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Visitors look at paper lanterns during the Autumn Grand Festival at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo November 2, 2008. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN) 

A mounted archer aims at a target from a galloping horse during the Yabusame Shinto ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, a shrine in Kamakura, south of Tokyo, September 16, 2008. Archers try to hit three targets as their horses gallop along a 250-meter course during the annual ritual held at the Shrine since 1186. REUTERS/Michael Caronna (JAPAN) 

A mounted archer aims at a target from a galloping horse during the Yabusame Shinto ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, a shrine in Kamakura, south of Tokyo, September 16, 2008. Archers try to hit three targets as their horses gallop along a 250-meter course during the annual ritual held at the Shrine since 1186. REUTERS/Michael Caronna (JAPAN) 

Shinto priests bow during the grand festival, a celebration held in honour of the shrine's kami (deities), at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo May 15, 2008. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Girls dressed as shrine maidens walk past sake barrels during the Kanamara Festival, a fertility ritual, at Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo April 6, 2008. The festival, which is held annually on the first Sunday of April, is believed to bring good luck and fertility blessings. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Shinto priests and community leaders pray to inspire the spirits at a portable phallic shrine during the Kanamara Festival, a fertility ritual, at Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo April 6, 2008. The festival, which is held annually on the first Sunday of April, is believed to bring good luck and fertility blessings. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Participants dressed in women's clothes carry a portable phallic shrine during the Kanamara Festival, a fertility ritual, near Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo April 6, 2008. The festival, which is held annually on the first Sunday of April, is believed to bring good luck and fertility blessings. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Participants dressed in women's clothes carry a portable phallic shrine during the Kanamara Festival, a fertility ritual, near Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo April 6, 2008. The festival, which is held annually on the first Sunday of April, is believed to bring good luck and fertility blessings. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Shinto priests walk to the main shrine for a Shinto ritual to bid farewell to 2007 and prepare for the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo December 31, 2007. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Shinto priests leave the main shrine after a Shinto ritual to bid farewell to 2007 and prepare for the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo December 31, 2007. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

A young Japanese woman adjusts her zori (Japanese thonged sandal) during Shinto maidens workshop at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo August 17, 2007. A total of 20 high school and university students took part in the one-day course to learn the rites and rituals of Shinto religion, which included detailed instructions on the ways to bow, pray and walk in a proper manner. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

A young Japanese woman practices how to hold a Sakaki, a sacred tree in the Shinto religion, during Shinto maidens workshop at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo August 17, 2007. A total of 20 high school and university students took part in the one-day course to learn the rites and rituals of Shinto religion, which included detailed instructions on the ways to bow, pray and walk in a proper manner. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Young Japanese women practice bowing during Shinto maidens workshop at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo August 17, 2007. A total of 20 high school and university students took part in the one-day course to learn the rites and rituals of Shinto religion, which included detailed instructions on the ways to bow, pray and walk in a proper manner. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Young Japanese women walk in front of Kanda Myojin's main shrine during Shinto maidens workshop at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo August 17, 2007. A total of 20 high school and university students took part in the one-day course to learn the rites and rituals of Shinto religion, which included detailed instructions on the ways to bow, pray and walk in a proper manner. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Young Japanese women practice bowing during Shinto maidens workshop at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo August 17, 2007. A total of 20 high school and university students took part in the one-day course to learn the rites and rituals of Shinto religion, which included detailed instructions on the ways to bow, pray and walk in a proper manner. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

A boy dressed in Japan's imperial military uniform watches men marching at the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours wartime leaders convicted by an Allied tribunal as war criminals, along with millions of war dead, on the 62nd anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, in Tokyo August 15, 2007. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (JAPAN) 

The shadows of visitors waiting for the gate of Yasukuni Shrine to open is seen on the 62nd anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, in Tokyo August 15, 2007. The shrine honours wartime leaders convicted as war criminals, along with millions of war dead. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (JAPAN) 

A shinto priest walks past the A-bomb dome during a procession for the victims of the atomic bombing at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima August 5, 2007. Hiroshima will be marking the 62nd anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing on Monday. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN) 

Women pray for good relationships or good luck in love during "Tanabata", or the Star festival, at Jishu shrine in Kyoto, western Japan July 7, 2007. The shrine is dedicated to the god of love and matchmaking, and the festival is to celebrate the meeting of Vega and Alter, which happens once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar over the Milky Way, based on a Chinese legend. REUTERS/Kiyoshi Ota (JAPAN) 

A Shinto priest waits for the arrival of former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo June 7, 2007. Lee, despised by Beijing for asserting the self-ruled island's sovereignty, paid his respects at a Tokyo's Yasukuni war shrine on Thursday, despite China's objections. REUTERS/Michael Caronna (JAPAN) 

A baby, held by an amateur sumo wrestler, takes part in a baby-crying contest at Sensoji temple in Tokyo April 28, 2007. Eighty-four babies born in 2006 took part in the event, which is held to pray for the babies' health and growth. The winner of the contest is the baby who cries the loudest. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN) 

Shinto priests walk at Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo April 23, 2007. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (JAPAN) 

Men pray as they bathe in ice-cold water at the Teppozu Inari shrine in Tokyo January 14, 2007. About 50 participants took part in the Shinto ceremony to purify their souls in the cold water. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) FOR BEST QUALITY SEE: GF2E56M0KI001 

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party Deputy Secretary General Shinzo Abe (2nd R) receives a sacred sake from Shinto priestesses as he visits the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo to pay tribute to the war dead August 15, 2005. [Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi marked the 60th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two on Monday with an apology for suffering caused by Japanese military aggression, and pledged that Tokyo would never again go to war.] 

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party Deputy Secretary General Shinzo Abe (3rd R) is led by a Shinto priest as he visits the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo to pay tribute to the war dead August 15, 2005.[Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi] marked the 60th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two on Monday with an apology for suffering caused by Japanese military aggression, and pledged that Tokyo would never again go to war.] 

A shinto priest is assisted by his colleagues to purify his hands before a ceremony to usher off 2002 and prepare for the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo December 31, 2002. Some two million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first three days in the new year to pray for long life and happiness. 

Shinto priest Masamitsu Nakagawa (C), 95, bathes in ice-cold water alongside fellow Japanese at Teppozu Inari shrine in Tokyo January 13, 2002. [The cold endurance event is staged during Japan's chilly winter season. The Japanese capital is expecting a highest temperature on Sunday of 13 degrees centigrade.]