Japan National Tourism Organization | Attractions | Festivals & Events | Traditional Annual Events
Dates: July 14th = 12 = HM 3
Places: Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine
City: Nachisan, Nachi-Katsuura-cho, Wakayama Prefecture
Kumano Nachi Taisha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates:
33°40′07″N = 33 + 40 +7 = 80 = HM 8
135°53′26″E = 135 + 53 + 26 = 214 = HM 7
33°40′07″N 135°53′26″E = HM 8 + HM 7 = 15 = HM 6
Huge pine torches weighing 50 kg are waved about in front of the great sacred falls in the mountains
Places: Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine
City: Nachisan, Nachi-Katsuura-cho, Wakayama Prefecture
12 vermilion mikoshi (portable shrines), 6 meters tall, decorated with ogi fans and mirrors, are designed in the image of the Nachi-no-Otaki Falls (the Great Waterfall of Nachi) near the shrine. At the Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine, the waterfall itself is the object of worship and is regarded as a deity. During the festival, you can enjoy viewing the mystical scene of 12 huge 50-kg pine torches waved around so very close to these portable shrines that it appears as if the portable shrines are about to be scorched. The enormous pine torches represent the 12 deities dwelling in Kumano as well as the 12 months of the year. The portable shrines, which are produced in the image of the sacred falls, are filled with the spirits of the 12 gods, and then purified by the fire of the pine torches; in this manner, vitality is enhanced through these sacred rituals, which is one important objective of this festival.
Water falls from a height of 133 meters, and looking up at the falls against the background of primeval forests, you will surely sense an air of sacredness
Coordinates:
33°40′07″N = 33 + 40 +7 = 80 = HM 8
135°53′26″E = 135 + 53 + 26 = 214 = HM 7
33°40′07″N 135°53′26″E = HM 8 + HM 7 = 15 = HM 6
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