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.

Int'l water forum to start Sun. in Kyoto

Int'l water forum to start Sun. in Kyoto

NARA, Japan - Members of the World Water Council and the National Steering Committee for the third World Water Forum hold a joint session at Todaiji Temple in Nara on March 15, the eve of the opening of the forum in Kyoto. Todaiji was chosen as the venue for the meeting because a popular ceremony known as Omizutori (literally, ''water-drawing'') involving a water offering to the Eleven Headed Kannon has been held annually in March at the temple for over 1,250 years.

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)

Int'l water forum to start Sun. in Kyoto

Int'l water forum to start Sun. in Kyoto

NARA, Japan - Members of the World Water Council and the National Steering Committee for the third World Water Forum hold a joint session at Todaiji Temple in Nara on March 15, the eve of the opening of the forum in Kyoto. Todaiji was chosen as the venue for the meeting because a popular ceremony known as Omizutori (literally, ''water-drawing'') involving a water offering to the Eleven Headed Kannon has been held annually in March at the temple for over 1,250 years. (Kyodo)