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.

12th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

12th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

A monk at Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan, prays on March 11, 2023, the 12th anniversary of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that devastated the country's northeast.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Buddha face

Buddha face

NARA, Japan - The face of a giant Buddha statue is seen from outside a hall through a window opened for the ''Manto Kuyoe'' rite at Todaiji temple in Nara, western Japan, on Aug. 15, 2010.

Buddha face

Buddha face

NARA, Japan - The face of a giant Buddha statue is seen from outside a hall through a window opened for the ''Manto Kuyoe'' rite at Todaiji temple in Nara, western Japan, on Aug. 15, 2010.

Buddha face

Buddha face

NARA, Japan - The face of a giant Buddha statue is seen from outside a hall through a window opened for the ''Manto Kuyoe'' rite at Todaiji temple in Nara, western Japan, on Aug. 15, 2010.

Todaiji Temple's Great Buddha cleaned

Todaiji Temple's Great Buddha cleaned

NARA, Japan - About 210 Buddhist monks and lay Buddhists wearing white coats and masks clean the 15-meter-high Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple in Nara on Aug. 7 in an annual event.

Crown prince visits Shosoin treasure house exhibition

Crown prince visits Shosoin treasure house exhibition

NARA, Japan - Crown Prince Naruhito looks at a "Kuwanokigenka" stringed instrument brought from ancient China at an exhibition highlighting the Shosoin treasure house of Todaiji Temple at the Nara National Museum in Nara, western Japan, on Oct. 23, 2014. (Pool Photo)

Dust off Todaiji's 'Kongorikishi' statue

Dust off Todaiji's 'Kongorikishi' statue

NARA, Japan - Workers brush the dust off a statue of Agyo, one of the two wooden "Kongorikishi" statues at Todaiji, a Buddhist temple in Nara, western Japan, on Oct. 16, 2014, before major repair work. The statues were made by a group of sculptors, including Unkei and Kaikei, in 1203.

Todaiji holds memorial service for spirits of ancestors

Todaiji holds memorial service for spirits of ancestors

NARA, Japan - People light incense sticks at the "Manto Kuyo-e" memorial service to honor the spirits of ancestors held at Todaiji, a Buddhist temple in Japan's ancient capital of Nara, on Aug. 15, 2014.

People pray for spirits of ancestors at Todaiji

People pray for spirits of ancestors at Todaiji

NARA, Japan - People pray before paper lanterns during the "Manto Kuyo-e" memorial service to honor the spirits of ancestors at Todaiji, a Buddhist temple in Japan's ancient capital of Nara, on Aug. 15, 2014.

Great Buddha cleaned

Great Buddha cleaned

NARA, Japan - Buddhist monks clear away dust from the Great Buddha statue on Aug. 7, 2014, in the Daibutsuden Hall at Todaiji Temple in the western Japan city of Nara.

Great Buddha cleaned

Great Buddha cleaned

NARA, Japan - Buddhist monks clear away dust from the Great Buddha statue on Aug. 7, 2014, in the Daibutsuden Hall at Todaiji Temple in the western Japan city of Nara.

Visitors see Todaiji exhibit at Abeno Harukas Art Museum

Visitors see Todaiji exhibit at Abeno Harukas Art Museum

OSAKA, Japan - Visitors to the Abeno Harukas Art Museum in Osaka observe artifacts for the special exhibition on Todaiji, a Buddhist temple in Nara Prefecture, on March 21, 2014, when the opening ceremony and a special viewing were held a day before the museum opens to the public.

Man makes gigantic torch in Nara

Man makes gigantic torch in Nara

NARA, Japan - Teruo Nomura (L), 70, makes a gigantic "Kago taimatsu" torch, to be used in the "Omizutori" water drawing ceremony at Todaiji, a Buddhist temple in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara, on March 8, 2014.

Fiery Buddhist ritual in Nara to usher in spring

Fiery Buddhist ritual in Nara to usher in spring

NARA, Japan - Spark-showering giant torches are carried through the balcony of the Nigatsudo Hall at Todaiji, a Buddhist temple in Nara, western Japan, on the evening of March 12, 2014, during its "Omizutori" (sacred water-drawing) ritual that signals the arrival of spring.

Omizutori event at Todaiji temple in Nara

Omizutori event at Todaiji temple in Nara

NARA, Japan - Photo taken by multi-exposure shows large torches being carried up to Nigatsudo hall's balcony at Todaiji temple in Nara on March 12, 2014, as part of the temple's Omizutori event. The burning embers that shower down from the balcony are believed to bestow onlookers with a safer year.

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Photo with 2-minute exposure shows the bearer of a giant torch leading a group of Buddhist monks passing the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji temple in Nara on March 12, 2012, as part of the temple's Omizutori festival.

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Sparks fall from a giant torch held by a bearer leading a group of Buddhist monks passing the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji temple in Nara on March 12, 2012, as part of the temple's Omizutori festival.

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Photo with 15-second exposure shows torchbearers running in the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji in Nara on March 1, 2012, during the temple's Omizutori festival.

Nara's Todaiji temple opens museum

Nara's Todaiji temple opens museum

NARA, Japan - Photo shows a Buddha statue in the museum of the Todaiji Buddhist temple in Nara, western Japan on Oct. 10, 2011. The museum opened the same day to exhibit the temple's treasures.

Nara's Todaiji temple opens museum

Nara's Todaiji temple opens museum

NARA, Japan - Photo shows a Buddha statue in the museum of the Todaiji Buddhist temple in Nara, western Japan on Oct. 10, 2011. The museum opened the same day to exhibit the temple's treasures.

Shosoin repository at Todaiji temple

Shosoin repository at Todaiji temple

NARA, Japan - Officials of the Imperial Household Agency and other messengers attend the annual ritual to open the doors of the treasure house in Shosoin repository at Todaiji temple in the city of Nara on Oct. 4, 2011. Treasures including the artifacts that belonged to Emperor Shomu in the Nara Period will be examined and cleaned by the time of a ceremony to close the doors on Dec. 1. Sixty-three items from the repository will be displayed at the 63rd annual exhibition to be held from Oct. 29 to Nov. 14 at Nara National Museum.

Dusting off Great Buddha

Dusting off Great Buddha

NARA, Japan - Monks at Todaiji temple in Nara dust off the 15-meter-tall Great Buddha statue on Aug. 7, 2011, in the annual summertime ''body wiping'' event.

Todaiji temple to open museum

Todaiji temple to open museum

NARA, Japan - Kosei Morimoto (R), a priest at Todaiji temple in Nara, western Japan, holds a poster about a new museum on July 21, 2011. The temple, part of the World Heritage site in Nara, will open the museum on its premises on Oct. 10 to exhibit its Buddhist sculptures and other artworks.

Buddhist, Shinto joint service for disaster victims

Buddhist, Shinto joint service for disaster victims

KAMAKURA, Japan - A Buddhist priest (L) conducts a ritual for the victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami at a memorial service held jointly by Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine and Todaiji Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, on June 12, 2011. On the right are Shinto priests taking part in the rite.

'Omizuokuri' ritual in Fukui Pref.

'Omizuokuri' ritual in Fukui Pref.

TSURUGA, Japan - Buddhist priests dressed in white pour special water into the Onyu River in Fukui Prefecture, on March 2, 2011, during the traditional ritual ''Omizuokuri'' -- meaning sending water. The ritual is based on a belief that the water will reach Wakasa Well in Todaiji, a Buddhist temple in Nara Prefecture, in 10 days and is then used for another ritual ''Omizutori'' -- meaning drawing water -- in the early morning of March 13.

Spring ritual at Todaiji temple

Spring ritual at Todaiji temple

NARA, Japan - Torches light up Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji temple in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara as the ''Omizutori'' (water drawing) ritual began on March 1, 2011. The spring event to pray for peace and good harvest was the 1,260th of its kind as it was first held at the temple in 752.

Spring ritual at Todaiji temple

Spring ritual at Todaiji temple

NARA, Japan - Torches light up Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji temple in this multiple exposure photo in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara as the ''Omizutori'' (water drawing) ritual began on March 1, 2011. The spring event to pray for peace and good harvest was the 1,260th of its kind as it was first held at the temple in 752.

Dalai Lama in Nara

Dalai Lama in Nara

NARA, Japan - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (C,L) views the Great Buddha of Todaiji temple in Nara on Nov. 8, 2010.

Dalai Lama in Nara

Dalai Lama in Nara

NARA, Japan - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama visits Todaiji temple in Nara, on Nov. 8, 2010.

Missing sacred swords of Todaiji found after 1,250 yrs

Missing sacred swords of Todaiji found after 1,250 yrs

NARA, Japan - Photo taken Oct. 25, 2010, shows the Great Buddha of Todaiji temple in Nara, western Japan. The temple said the same day that two swords found under the Buddha in the Meiji era have been identified as sacred swords that had been missing for some 1,250 years since around 760 after Empress Komyo, the wife of Emperor Shomu who built the Buddha, dedicated them along with other items to the temple.

Missing sacred swords of Todaiji found after 1,250 yrs

Missing sacred swords of Todaiji found after 1,250 yrs

NARA, Japan - Photo taken Oct. 25, 2010, shows two swords found under the Great Buddha of Todaiji temple in Nara, western Japan, exhibited at a cultural assets research center in Nara. The temple said the same day that two swords found under the Buddha in the Meiji era have been identified as sacred swords that had been missing for some 1,250 years since around 760 after Empress Komyo, the wife of Emperor Shomu who built the Buddha, dedicated them along with other items to the temple.

1,250th anniv. of Empress Komyo's death

1,250th anniv. of Empress Komyo's death

NARA, Japan - A memorial service for the 1,250th anniversary of the death of Empress Komyo is conducted at Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, in Nara on Oct. 15, 2010. The empress was the wife of Emperor Shomu, who took the helm when the western Japan city was the country's capital in the eighth century.

Monks clean massive Buddha statue in Nara

Monks clean massive Buddha statue in Nara

NARA, Japan - A team including monks dusts off a year's worth of dirt from a huge Buddha statue at Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture on Aug. 7, 2010.

Karzai in ancient Japanese capital of Nara

Karzai in ancient Japanese capital of Nara

NARA, Japan - Afghan President Hamid Karzai waves in the Daibutsuden Hall of Todaiji Buddhist temple in Nara, western Japan, on June 20, 2010. Karzai visited the eighth-century capital of Japan on the last day of his five-day trip to the country.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. An 8-meter-long, 70-kilogram torch was moved around in the climax to the festival that heralds the spring in the ancient Japanese city.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - Tourists admire a shower of sparks near the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. The event was a herald of spring in the ancient Japanese city.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. An 8-meter-long, 70-kilogram torch was moved around in the climax to the festival that heralds the spring in the ancient Japanese city.

Rehearsal at Kyoto temple to ring out the old year

Rehearsal at Kyoto temple to ring out the old year

KYOTO, Japan - A team of 17 Buddhist priests rings the huge bronze bell at the Chion-in temple in Kyoto on Dec. 27, 2009, in a rehearsal for a New Year's Eve ceremony to sweep away desires accumulated over the course of the year. The bell, which is 3.3 meters high and weighs 70 tons, is one of the three largest temple bells in Japan along with those at Todaiji in Nara and Hokoji in Kyoto.

Rehearsal at Kyoto temple to ring out the old year

Rehearsal at Kyoto temple to ring out the old year

KYOTO, Japan - A team of 17 Buddhist priests rings the huge bronze bell at the Chion-in temple in Kyoto on Dec. 27, 2009, in a rehearsal for a New Year's Eve ceremony to sweep away desires accumulated over the course of the year. The bell, which is 3.3 meters high and weighs 70 tons, is one of the three largest temple bells in Japan along with those at Todaiji in Nara and Hokoji in Kyoto.

Buddha statue in Nara cleaned ahead of Bon Festival

Buddha statue in Nara cleaned ahead of Bon Festival

NARA, Japan - A huge Buddha statue at Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture is cleaned Aug. 7 ahead of Japan's Bon Festival.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji Temple in the Japanese ancient city of Nara ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival on March 12. Buddhist priests moved around on the hall's stage holding together an 8-meter-long, 60-kilogram torch in the climax to the festival said to herald the spring.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji Temple in the Japanese ancient city of Nara ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival on March 12. Buddhist priests moved around on the hall's stage holding together an 8-meter-long, 60-kilogram torch in the climax to the festival said to herald the spring.

Britain's Prince Charles, wife Camilla visit Nara

Britain's Prince Charles, wife Camilla visit Nara

NARA, Japan - Britain's Prince Charles (R) burns incense at Todaiji Temple in the ancient Japanese city of Nara on Oct. 29 with his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, looking on. (Pool photo)