It is performed to purify altarages or ritual articles presented to Shinto and Buddhist deities and may also be performed for those who believe in omens in the world of chancy business such as Sumo or karyukai (world of the geisha).
神仏に対する供物や神具を清めるほかに、花柳界や相撲のような水商売の世界では一種の縁起かつぎとして人に対しても行う。