Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2025. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2025. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2025. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2025. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during the traditional "uchiwamaki" ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2022. The ceremony to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects was held behind closed doors due to concerns over COVID-19.

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during the traditional "uchiwamaki" ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2022. The ceremony to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects was held behind closed doors due to concerns over COVID-19.

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during the traditional "uchiwamaki" ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2022. The ceremony to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects was held behind closed doors due to concerns over COVID-19. (Pool photo)

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during the traditional "uchiwamaki" ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2022. The ceremony to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects was held behind closed doors due to concerns over COVID-19.

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

A priest throws heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during the traditional "uchiwamaki" ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2021. The ceremony that started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects was held behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Fan-throwing ceremony in western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony in western Japan temple

Monks throws heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during the traditional "uchiwamaki" ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2020. The ceremony to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects was held behind closed doors due to concerns over the novel coronavirus. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Fan-throwing ceremony in western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony in western Japan temple

A monk throws heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during the traditional "uchiwamaki" ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2020. The ceremony to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects was held behind closed doors due to concerns over the novel coronavirus. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Fan-throwing ceremony in western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony in western Japan temple

Monks throws heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during the traditional "uchiwamaki" ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2020. The ceremony to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects was held behind closed doors due to concerns over the novel coronavirus. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo