Volunteers hit tatami with bamboo sticks during the annual year-end cleanup at Nishi-Honganji, a temple in Kyoto's Shimogyo Ward, on Friday. The tradition, which goes back more than 500 years, is meant to celebrate the peaceful passing of another year and prepare for a new year. About 600 people dressed in coverall aprons helped clean the mats at the temple's Founder's Hall. | KYODO
