Kyoto Fire Festival - Kurama
The Kyoto Kurama Fire Festival is a cultural celebration in Japan that takes place in Kyoto every year on October 22nd. It is a unique festival that allows you to experience traditional Japanese customs and rituals that you won't find anywhere else.
The most distinctive feature of this festival is a procession that occurs at dusk. Hundreds of people carry large, heavy torches, some weighing over 80kg and standing up to 3 meters tall, while shouting the slogan "Saireya sairyo!" (Wishing you a great festival!). This creates a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight. The procession starts at the Yuki Shrine, winds through the village's streets and alleys, and concludes at midnight.
This festival is notable for the participation of children who carry smaller torches, a symbol of passing down Japan's traditional culture through the generations. Traditional Japanese clothing, such as wooden clogs, sashes, and woven dresses, is also worn during this event, preserving ancient customs.
The Kurama Fire Festival is famous for its lively atmosphere, with Mikoshi parades energizing the crowd. Young people shoulder the Mikoshi, a portable shrine, and parade it through the village, chanting "Saireya sairyo!" This adds to the festive spirit.
A significant part of the festival is the ritual of carrying the Mikoshi up steep steps. Women in the village pull ropes attached to the Mikoshi, symbolizing prayers for safety and childbirth. Meanwhile, two young men wearing sashes support the shrine's horizontal beams, lifting it as it ascends the steps and lowering it when descending. This is called the "Choppen" ritual, symbolizing the transition to adulthood for men in the Kurama area.
As the festival reaches the Otabisho district around midnight, it is adorned with Kagura dance performances in honor of the deities. This unique combination of culture and religion makes the festival captivating, attracting participants and spectators from both within and outside Kurama.
With its captivating elements, the Kurama Fire Festival is a fall celebration that draws a large crowd, leaving beautiful memories for all who participate.
Photo: yokalokamadrid, taoyama, redeye_it
