Travel

A Fiery Tradition in Nara: The Annual Wakakusa Yamayaki

NARA, Jan 28 (News On Japan) - The traditional New Year event of Wakakusa Yamayaki was held Saturday evening in Nara, to a crowd of 190,000 spectators. At 6:00 PM, 600 fireworks were launched as a signal for local fire brigade members to set dry grass on fire with torches, engulfing the mountain slopes in bright flames.

The origins of this annual January event are varied. One theory is that it began to clarify the boundary lines between the lands of Kofukuji and Todaiji temples. Another suggests it started to pacify the spirits in the ancient tombs on the mountain top.

This year, approximately 190,000 spectators gathered to witness the grand festival of flames, captivated and seemingly forgetting the cold.

by Brian Dentry

Source: YOMIURI

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