Tejikara Fire Matsuri

Tejikara Lanterns

We stood facing the Jinja’s arena looking up at next tower. A spark shot up the wire igniting the tower and bursting it to light. The wind kicked up sending the hot sparks showering into the crowd. People crushed backwards to shield from tiny burns, while I pushed forward into their better positions, my head protected by a beanie. The raining fire didn’t let up and set a tree alight. The security (dressed like star wars storm trooper in their white helmets waving light sabres) called over some help and water doused the burning leaves. The same crowd that moments before was showered with sparks was now repelled by water.

Tejikara Mikoshi

At last all but 1 stubborn tower was lit, and 9 lanterns each radiantly glowed from their stilts. Then the Mikoshi teams stepped out, some men with bare backs, and carrying their shrines (Mikoshi). The towers were again lit raining down a new storm of sparks. The teams seized the moment by running and dancing with the Mikoshi through the burning showers, fuelled in their hysteria by men beating bells in unordered rhythms. About 6 more teams bravely followed, each with a different Mikoshi each gaudily draped with flashing fairy lights. Then POWW. The Mikoshi self erupted, each meeting its own explosive and colourful end.

photos in photolog > japan > tejikara matsuri

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