 Last additions - Wakakusa-yama Burning 若草山焼き |
Burn baby burn...The fire is put out by 9 pm. Unless you're near the fire, it can get very cold, so dress warmly for this festival.Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Bon fire burnsJan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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The hill behind also starts to burn.Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Other torches are thrown in.Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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The sacred torch lights the bonfire at around 6 pm.You can also see three lanterns for Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple. This is a joint festival between these three temples and shrine.Jan 21, 2006
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The crowdJan 21, 2006
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Ceremony at Nogami ShrineJan 21, 2006
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FireworksJan 21, 2006
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The sacred torch is brought.Jan 21, 2006
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Volunteeer firemen and staff hike up the hills.Jan 21, 2006
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Sacred torch arrives at the foot of the hill.The sacred torch is lit at Kasuga Taisha Shrine and brought to Nogami Shrine in a torch procession. It is a small shrine at the foot of the hill.Jan 21, 2006
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Deer on the hillJan 21, 2006
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Volunteer firement gather before going up the hill.The hill set alight by 300 volunteer firemen from all over Nara and prefectural workers who climb up the hill.Jan 21, 2006
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Water bagsThe third item the volunteer firemen carry are water bags. The water bag is filled with water weighing 20 kg or so. A nozzle is also attached. It is used to extinguish the fire.Jan 21, 2006
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Bon fire siteJan 21, 2006
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Bamboo torchesThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. Jan 21, 2006
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The deer have no idea what danger they are in...Jan 21, 2006
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Bamboo torches and bamboo broomsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. The bamboo brooms are used to spread the fire or extinguish it. The brooms burn up by the end of the festival.Jan 21, 2006
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Bamboo torches and bamboo broomsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. The bamboo brooms are used to spread the fire or extinguish it. The brooms burn up by the end of the festival.Jan 21, 2006
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Dry grass ready to burn...Jan 21, 2006
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Volunteer firemenThe hill set alight by 300 volunteer firemen and prefectural workers who climb up the hill.Jan 21, 2006
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On the Sunday before the second Monday of Jan., 33 hectares of a hill called Wakakusa-yama (seen in the distance here) next to Nara Park is burned at night.The burning hill looks more spectacular from afar, but we went up close.Jan 21, 2006
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Wakakusa-yama hill in JanuaryWakakusa-yama hill actually has three hills. We see only the first one here.Jan 21, 2006
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