Just in case it helps!
I was fortunate enough to attend many ancient and traditional ceremonies in Japan.
Those at the sea, for ritual cleansing before a temple ceremony or for blessing and sanctifying the boats and fishermen, (they were only men!) involved wading out, waist deep, into the sea or even a brief duck under and swim out.
Those ceremonies at a river or lake, involving placating or glorifying spirits or gods or oni (demons) or again blessing boats or people, usually only had the priest(s) enter the water and they collected the water in a vessel or splashed or sprinkled it on the people/things to be blessed and purified.
Have to say that the year end fire purifying ceremonies were marvellously spectacular. You wouldn't like to use one of those instead? In the darkest and coldest time of winter they were great spirit raisers.
I was fortunate enough to attend many ancient and traditional ceremonies in Japan.
Those at the sea, for ritual cleansing before a temple ceremony or for blessing and sanctifying the boats and fishermen, (they were only men!) involved wading out, waist deep, into the sea or even a brief duck under and swim out.
Those ceremonies at a river or lake, involving placating or glorifying spirits or gods or oni (demons) or again blessing boats or people, usually only had the priest(s) enter the water and they collected the water in a vessel or splashed or sprinkled it on the people/things to be blessed and purified.
Have to say that the year end fire purifying ceremonies were marvellously spectacular. You wouldn't like to use one of those instead? In the darkest and coldest time of winter they were great spirit raisers.