Omizutori (“Shuni-e”)

Omizutori (Water Drawing Festival) is officially known as “Shuni-e”.

From its beginnings at Todai-ji Temple in 752,

Shuni-e has continued down to the present day without pause

(as of 2018, 1267 times and counting!)

and will continue as long as Todai-ji Temple exists.

It was formerly held February 1st~15th on the old lunar calendar,

but today is held from March 1st to 14th of the new solar calendar.

The nightly schedule is as follows:

March 1st-11th, 13th: starts 7 pm / uses 10 torches / lasts around 20 mins.

March 12th: starts 7:30 pm / 11 torches, bigger than usual / takes 45 mins. Very busy!

March 14th: starts from 6:30 pm / 10 torches all at once / only 10 mins.

Again, very busy!

Each regular torch is 7m long and weighs around 40kg.

The bigger torches, called Kago-Taimatsu, are 8m long and weigh 70kg.

They have a pine cage on the end to produce a bigger flame!

A few photos from the final day of Shuni-e 2018…

Monks run along the Nigatsu-do balcony carrying the burning torches.

Many people gather under the balcony to be showered by the sparks.

It’s supposed to bring good health for the year ahead,

but take care of your clothing!

The 12th and final 14th evenings are so crowded!

Local people say “It starts to get warm after Omizutori“!