Aso Shrine fire ritual

The Hifuri Shinto ritual is a ``shintoritual that signifies the wedding ceremony of the gods,''and when the shrine of the Himejin, wrapped in oak branches and leaves, arrives, the parishioners all light torches made from thatch grass and wave them around. It is a divine ritual to celebrate.

A ring of flames swinging heroically colors the temple at night, and the whole area is enveloped in a fantastical atmosphere.

This year it will be held on March 15th. (Venue: Aso Shrine Ichinomiya Monzencho)