Todaiji Omizutori お水取り

The Omizutori お水取りis a two-week long series of rituals at Todaiji in Nara. The ceremonies start on the first of March. Perhaps the most spectacular event for the general public is the burning of pine bough torches along the veranda of the Nigatsudo 二月堂　hall. Many people gather beneath the veranda every night, because according to tradition, the falling embers cleanse the viewers. It is now a major tourist attraction, drawing numerous photographers.

The torches (otaimatsu お松明). The pine branches are tied to bamboo, and are then brought up the stairs immediately behind the foreground building.
Nara Nigatsudo taimatsu Omizutori Buddhism Japan ritual fire
The photographers' area. Given the popularity of the ritual, it draws a large crowd every night. For the sake of safety, photographers with tripods are restricted to one LIMITED space. Competition may be keen, but I suspect there is some kind of pecking order amongst the "old boys" who to this kind of shooting.
Nara Nigatsudo taimatsu Omizutori Japan camera culture Buddhism Japan ritual fire
The veranda on the main level of Nigatsudo. The seated men are photographers and the faithful waiting for dusk, and the start of the event. I may be mistaken, but I think women are prevented from this area during the ritual.
Nara Nigatsudo taimatsu Omizutori Buddhism Japan ritual fire
The viewing area from the vantage point of the hall.
Nara Nigatsudo taimatsu Omizutori Buddhism Japan ritual fire
Burning pine bough (taimatsu).
Nara Nigatsudo taimatsu Omizutori Buddhism Japan ritual fire
One burning torch being brought up the stairs. The restricted placement of heavy duty photographic gear has no effect on the legions of viewers armed with their cell-phones.
Nara Nigatsudo taimatsu Omizutori Buddhism Japan ritual fire
Omizutori お水取り at the Nigatsudo sub-temple within the Todaiji grounds. Nara, 2006. For two weeks in March, the monks and temple staff carry large "taimatsu" (bundles of pine boughs) along the veranda. Scores of people gather below in the belief that the falling embers will bring spiritual benefits.
Buddhism Japan ritual fire Nara Nigatsudo Todaiji taimatsu

Alexander Vesey

Images from Japan, Asia, and the US Southwest

Todaiji Omizutori お水取り