Giant grassfires. What's not to love?
Throw in some domesticated deer, hordes of people, and a mountain and nothing could possibly go wrong! And nothing did. Although, it was so cold my mouth muscles were struggling to process a chocolate-filled pancake I had bought on the street. But challenges are character-building!
Every year the dead grass is burnt off of Nara's Mt Wakakusa in a ceremony called 'Wakakusa Yamayaki'. The ceremony itself has somewhat cloudy origins, but I'm fairly certain the tradition was continued due to the allure of fire and food. Today, it's a festival with lots of street food and people and fireworks. There was even some post-ceremony entertainment.
Everything about where you are seems amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love going to things like traditional ceremonies when traveling. It's often some of my favorite parts about traveling, and really gives you a glimpse into another culture. I mean, I'm not sure if the US has many comparable equivalents. The annual Independence Day hot dog eating contest just doesn't compare!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are amazing!
ReplyDeletewhat a cool event!
ReplyDeleteWow - I really like how you're taking part in all of these neat cultural activities and events. You're making me so jealous :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing photo, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBurning a mountain ? That's completely crazy, these stuff only happen in Japan ;)
ReplyDelete