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Snow, snow and snow.  Japan has been heavily covered by snow recently.  So I’ve decided to talk about coming spring!

Mt. Wakakusa Fire Festival was held in Nara at the end of January.  This is one of the famous event to tell us that early spring has come to Japan.  Sacred flame of Kasuga-Taisha Grand Shrine is taken to a shrine, Nogami Shrine at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa to pray for a successful completion of the festival (it seems festival can be postponed when the fire doesn’t spread…).

“Kentaro Ohno” some rights reserved. flickr

Once the praying session is finished, approx.. 600 firework display starts. (600 w(・o・)w !!!)

“Kentaro Ohno” some rights reserved. flickr

After the firework display, fire festival starts by blows of conch shell horns and trumpets.  It has been said that this festival started around 1760, and regional folktale says that a spectre called Ushioni starts appearing when people stop holding this fire festival.

“Kentaro Ohno” some rights reserved. flickr

It seems lighting off of the mountain is done by 300 fire fighters of the region!  Well, that make this festival sounds very safe?? 🙂  Some people may not enjoy watching mount being burnt, but fireworks are amazing there, and I believe you will certainly enjoy them!

What do you think about today’s article?

I am looking forward to hearing from you^^

Source: My Navi News

This is JAPAN Style!