'Omizutori' rite heralds the arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - Monks wave a large torch from the verandah, sprinkling sparks over the crow below in the annual ''Omizutori (water-drawing)'' rite at the Nigatsudo Hall at Todaiji Temple in Nara on March 1. The monks come down afterwards to draw water from a nearby well and offer it to the image of the 11-faced Kannon at the Hall. Said to date from AD 752, the rite symbolizes the arrival of spring.

• Product Code
• ILEA001083419

• Registered date
• 2001/3/01 00:00:00

• Credit
• Kyodo / Kyodo News Images

• Media source
• 2001 Kyodo News

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• 1864 × 1667 pixel

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• 1.13(MB)*

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