The _Nihongi_ states that in A.D. 685 the ceremony of calling on the spirit (_mitama_) was performed for the Mikado's sake. An ancient gloss identifies this ceremony with that of the _mitama furishiki_ just described. The object of the two ceremonies was, no doubt, the same, but it is to be noted that _mitama_, which in the one case means jewel or talisman, in the other means spirit--a rare case in the older Shinto records of this word being applied to the human soul. The phrases "calling on the spirit" and "settling the spirit" are of Chinese origin, _mitama_ being in this connexion simply a translation of the Chinese _hun_ (pronounced _kon_ in Japanese). The same ceremony is known in China, and some features of its Japanese form were probably borrowed from that country. Its object, according to a modern writer, was to summon back to and settle in the body the volatile _kon_. It was performed every year in the eleventh month in the Chapel of the Jingikwan, and also at one time in connexion with the coronation ceremony. The _norito_ (No. 15 of the _Yengishiki_) begins with a recital of the Mikado's divine claims to sovereignty. Then the offerings are enumerated. It concludes with a prayer to the eight Gods of the Jingikwan to grant the Mikado a long and prosperous reign, and that he may dwell peacefully in his Palace during the ensuing year. It says nothing of the Mikado's spirit, an expression found only in the heading, which may be supposed to be a later addition. A performance by the Miko resembling that of Uzume before the Rock-cave of Heaven, and comprising the repetition of the magic words one, two, three, &c., formed part, no doubt the oldest part, of the ceremony. It is now usually called by the Chinese name _Chinkonsai_. There is a story of a thief having stolen the clothing presented on this occasion, and also the string which tied the Mikado's _mitama_, whatever that may mean. =Oho-harahi= (Great Purification).[248]--This ceremony includes a preliminary lustration, expiatory offerings, and the recital of a _norito_ or formula--not a prayer, as it is sometimes called--in which the Mikado, by virtue of the authority transmitted to him from the Sun-Goddess, declares to his ministers and people the absolution of their sins and impurities. This formula is often referred to as if it constituted the whole ceremony. It is known as the _Nakatomi no Oho-harahi_, because in ancient times it was usually read by the Nakatomi as representatives of the Mikado.