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.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

An annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, dating back to 752, is held at Todai-ji temple's Nigatsudo hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2025.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

An annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, dating back to 752, is held at Todai-ji temple's Nigatsudo hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2025.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

An annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, dating back to 752, is held at Todai-ji temple's Nigatsudo hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2025.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2024.

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.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2023.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2023.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

Todaiji Temple lit up with torches in annual rite

Todaiji Temple lit up with torches in annual rite

NARA, Japan - Nigatsudo Hall at Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches as part of the annual ''omizutori'' (water drawing) rite on March 12. The rite symbolizes the arrival of spring. Shuni-e, or the ceremony of the second month, as omizutori is formally known, has been performed without interruption since 752 A.D., the year the Great Buddha at Todaiji was cast.

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.

'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - The verandah of the Nigatsudo Hall of the Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches waved by monks in the annual ''omizutori (water drawing)'' rite March 1. The rite symbolizes the arrival of spring.

'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - The verandah of the Nigatsudo Hall of Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches waved by monks in the annual ''omizutori'' (water drawing) rite March 12. The rite symbolizes the arrival of spring.

(2)'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

(2)'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - Sparks from torches waved by monks are scattered around at the verandah of the Nigatsudo Hall of the Todaiji Temple in Nara in the annual ''omizutori (water drawing)'' rite March 1. The classical rite in the ancient capital Nara symbolizes the arrival of spring.

(1)'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

(1)'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - The verandah of the Nigatsudo Hall of Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches waved by monks in the annual ''omizutori (water drawing)'' rite March 1. The classical rite in the ancient capital Nara symbolizes the arrival of spring.

'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - The verandah of the Nigatsudo Hall of the Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches waved by monks in the annual ''omizutori (water drawing)'' rite March 12. Some 30,000 visitors turned out for one of the classical rites in the ancient capital Nara. The rite symbolizes the arrival of spring.

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.

'Omizutori' rite heralds arrival of spring

'Omizutori' rite heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - The verandah of the Nigatsdudo Hall of the Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches waved by monks in the annual ''omizutori (water drawing)'' rite March 12. One of the classical rites in the ancient capital Nara, it symbolizes the arrival of spring.

'Omizutori' rite heralds arrival of spring

'Omizutori' rite heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - Monks wave large torches from a verandah at Todaiji Temple in Nara on March 1, scattering sparks over the crowd below in the annual ''Omizutori'' (water-drawing) rite at the temple. The monks later drew water from a nearby well and offered it to the image of the 11-faced Kannon in the Nigatsudo Hall. In the event, the monks prayed for happiness and peace.

'Omizutori' rite heralds arrival of spring

'Omizutori' rite heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - The verandah of the Nigatsdudo Hall of the Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches waved by monks in the annual ''omizutori (water drawing)'' rite March 12. The monks go down to draw water from the nearby well to offer it to the image of the 11-faced Kannonn, the central divinity of the hall. One of the classical rites in the Kansai area, it symbolizes the arrival of spring.

'Omizutori' rite heralds the arrival of spring

'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.

Todaiji's Nigatsudo lit up

Todaiji's Nigatsudo lit up

Todaiji Temple's Nigatsudo edifice in Nara is lit up by burning torches in the spring 'Omizutori' event that began March 1. Monks offer repentance to the sacred god of the edifice and wish for peace and good harvest in the tradition, which ends March 14 this year.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Photo taken March 1, 2022, shows the annual "omizutori" fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Photo taken March 1, 2022, shows the annual "omizutori" fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan.

(2)'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

(2)'Omizutori' rite at Todaiji Temple heralds arrival of spring

NARA, Japan - Sparks from torches waved by monks are scattered around at the verandah of the Nigatsudo Hall of the Todaiji Temple in Nara in the annual ''omizutori (water drawing)'' rite March 1. The classical rite in the ancient capital Nara symbolizes the arrival of spring. (Kyodo)