At 8:00 p.m. on August 16th, bonfires are lit at the five mountains in sequence. The ancestral spirits welcomed by each house at the beginning of the Bon festival return to the afterlife with the bonfires of the five mountains.It is said. Today, it has become one of Kyoto's summer traditions.

Uppercase (image)

As I watched the bright red capital letters emerge from the darkness,I feel relieved that the heat wave will soon be overat the same timeI am deeply moved that I was able to see the Gozan no Okuribi safely this year as well.will also become

The origin of the Gozan Okuribi is not clear, but according to interviews, records of it go back about 400 years. Its prototype isAfter the Onin War, many lanterns were held to appease the vengeful spirits of the deceased who filled the devastated city of Kyoto.It is said that Since long ago,Fire has the power of amulet and requiem powerI guess it was thought. It seems that it has become established as an event for the spirit memorial service of Obon.

The current okuribi are the ``Daimonji'' of Mt. Daimonji, the ``Myo'' of Matsugasaki Nishiyama, the ``Hou'' of the same Matsugasaki Higashiyama, the ``funagata'' of Nishikamo Funayama, the ``sadaidaimonji'' of Daikitayama, and the ``torii-gata'' of Mt. Mandara. Five. As I continued to conduct interviews,In ancient times, okuribi was lit at Toyama.I understand.

It is said that there was ``i'' in Ichihara, ``ichi'' in Narutaki, ``Bamboo tip bell'' in Nishiyama, ``Snake'' in Kitasaga, and ``Naginata'' in Kankuji village. The numbers ``I'' and ``One'' are respected as the beginning of things, bamboo and the sound of a clear bell, which signify growth, are lucky charms, a snake shedding its skin is a symbol of rebirth, and a long sword is a symbol of warding off evil spirits. will pay

"I" and "Myoho" seen in old maps from the Edo period

In both cases, you can sense the meaning of appeasing vengeful spirits and mourning the dead. But unfortunately, theylost due to financial difficultiesI hear. Will we be able to see it revived in the future like Ofune-hoko at the Gion Festival?

Although Okuribi has continued for a long time, it has been forced to refrain or be canceled many times due to the death of powerful people, natural disasters, and the Pacific War. In the middle of the Edo period, a severe drought caused the water level of Lake Biwa to drop by as much as 3 meters, and Okuribi was canceled to prevent fires. I guess the fire was more frightening than anything else.

Also interesting is the end of the Edo period. The day of Okuribi on the 16th coincides with a lunar eclipse, and a notice has been issued saying that the Okuribi should be postponed until the 17th.

Since ancient times, lunar and solar eclipses have been seen as harbingers of natural disasters and have been considered unlucky. On that day, the ancient people locked themselves in their mansions and did not go outside, waiting with great fear for the moon and sun to return to their original appearance.

Lunar eclipse (image)

This year, a partial lunar eclipse will occur in Japan early in the morning on August 8th, so it looks like you can safely watch the Gozan Okuribi on the night of the 16th. The Okuribi is lit for about 30 minutes. It is said that this has not changed since ancient times.

Now, at some point, it has been rumored that Gozan no Okuribi not only sends away the spirits of ancestors, but also has the following elegant benefits.

If you project the letter "dai" of the Okuribi on the cup and drink it up, you will be in good health for a year.That's it. Also, after the bonfire,Wrap the extinguishing charcoal of the grate in a piece of paper and hang it at the entrance of your house with a mizuhiki cord.It says. In addition,Drinking boiled charcoal is effective for abdominal pain.And. In fact, as you walk through the streets at the foot of Mt. Daimonji, you will often see charcoal hanging from the eaves of shops and houses.

The grate of "Kanawa" in sprawling characters

Split pine wood used for bonfires

At the eaves of a private house in Ginkakuji Monzen Shopping Street
hanging capital letter extinguisher

I've never received extinguishing charcoal,This year, I want to do my best to get it and use it as a charm for the whole year.I think.