Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

A pine torch about eight meters long is hung at World Heritage-listed Todaiji Temple's Nigatsu-do hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2025, for an annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

A pine torch about eight meters long is hung at World Heritage-listed Todaiji Temple's Nigatsu-do hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2025, for an annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752.

Big Pine torches ablaze at Todaiji as herald to spring

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.

Big Pine torches ablaze at Todaiji as herald to spring

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)

Nigatsu-do,Todaiji Temple

Nigatsu-do,Todaiji Temple

Nigatsudo Hall, famous for Omizutori ceremony, stands at the foot of Higashiyama Mountain within the temple grounds of Todaiji. This photo captures Nigatsudo Hall looking up from the bottom of the sone steps located at the south of the hall when facing northeast. There is a small shrine of Kosei Jinja at the lower left. Behind the shrine stands the first generation of the big ryoben cedar. A part of Nishizuma wall at the north gate of Hokkedo Hall can be seen on the right.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:Usui Shuzaburo?, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number65‐30‐0]

Nigatsu-do,Todaiji Temple

Nigatsu-do,Todaiji Temple

The main building to the east of the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple has at its main image of worship a Kannon with 11 faces. It is famous for the Shunie (spiritual exercise) conducted every March. It is also known as Omizutori , the spiritual exercise of Keka (repentance) conducted in front of the 11 faced Kannon.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:Kusakabe Kinbei, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number2‐20‐0]