この記事はK部長が英語で書いたものを、新入社員のCさんが英語を修正したものです（修正反映済み）。
Title: Autumn Festivals in Japan
In October, there are many autumn festivals in Japan.
Apart from big food festivals sponsored by famous media companies and Halloween events which are becoming popular, many local shrines around the city hold traditional autumn festivals every week.
I think preserving the tradition is very important.
However, even Japanese people sometimes forget the right way of visiting shrines for praying.
It is probably also hard for the foreigners who visit Japan for the first time.
However, there are actually only three simple rules for visiting a shrine.
1) Do not walk in center of the “参道 (approach path)” from the “Torii (Shrine gate) ”to the “社殿 (shrine pavilions)”
That is because the gods of the shrine pass through the central section.
2) Wash your hands and mouth before reaching the shrine pavilions.
That is because we need to remove the foulness of everyday world.
● Hold the ladle with your right hand and wash your left hand.
● Then hold the ladle with your left hand and wash your right hand.
● Hold the ladle with your right hand, and pour the water onto your left palm to wash your mouth.
● Finally hold the ladle in the vertical position to wash the handle with remaining water.
3) Bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once
Finally, when you stand in front of the “賽銭箱 (offertory box)” to pray, throw a coin into the offertory box. The amount depends on your wishes and wallet condition. But remember it is not always true that “if you pay more, your dreams will come true”.
Then bow twice, clap twice, and bow once.
By doing so, you tell the gods your name, address, appreciation and show them your will to live. You must not request too many things like “I need money, I hope to win the game etc. ”
Most shrines use these rules, but sometimes there are alternative ways of visiting shrines.
For example, the famous "出雲大社 (Izumo-taisha)" use the rule of "bowing twice, clapping four times, and bowing once".
There is another interesting thing about the 出雲大社. They use a calendar different from the one used by other shrines for October.
In the Japanese calendar, October is called "神無月 (kannazuki)" which means that there are no gods in October . But only in the Izumo area, October is called "神在月 (kamiarizuki)". In October, the gods of all shrines around Japan gather in the Izumo area to hold a conference.
Autumn festivals are events that symbolize the change of seasons.
Let’s prepare for the winter that’s coming.
T.K.
