Big Pine torches ablaze at Todaiji as herald to spring

NARA, Japan - Big Pine torches are ablaze outside the Nigatsu-do of Todaiji temple in Nara on March 1, the start of the Omizutori (taking sacred water) ceremony heralding the arrival of spring in Japan's ancient capital. Shuni-e, or ceremony of the second month, as Omizutori is formally known, has been performed without interruption since 752 A.D., the year when the Great Buddha in Todaiji was built. Nigatsu-do is home to the eleven-headed Kannon, the symbol for the nation's prosperity and world peace. (Kyodo)

• Product Code
• ILEA000664391

• Registered date
• 2007/3/01 00:00:00

• Credit
• Kyodo / Kyodo News Images

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• 1483 × 2003 pixel

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• 72 dpi

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• 475.49(KB)*

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