Nara’s Wakakusa Yaki (burning of Mt. Wakakusa) scorches the night sky in winter.

Nara’s traditional event, fireworks, which are powerful in the clear air and turn the night sky of the ancient capital red, is a traditional event that heralds early spring….

It is said to be a traditional event since the Edo period, indispensable for offering offerings to the spirits of the ancient tombs on the mountaintop and for encouraging the sprouting of grass and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

People receive the sacred fire from most of the large fire at “Tobikino” in the precincts of Kasuga-taisha Shrine and carry it to the foot of Mt. Wakakusa.

We observed the “Torchlight Procession,” in which a period procession is paraded by Gagaku Doraku, priest soldiers, officials of the Nara-machi Magistrate’s Office, Yoshino Kinpusenji Temple, Horaishu, Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and others….

The torchlight was lit at Mizutani Shrine, carrying the sacred fire of Kasuga Taisha Shrine…

This torch fire will be the seed fire for the Wakakusa-yama Fire.

After the fireworks, the torches of the torchlight procession are ignited in a large bonfire set up in the center of the foot of the mountain!

Then, about 300 local firefighters set fire to the dead leaves on Mt. Wakakusa, and the fire spread vigorously.

The winds were light this year, making for perfect conditions.

I am so grateful for the return to a peaceful and tranquil world and for the opportunity to catch a glimpse of these traditional events!

Thank you!