About Wakakusa Yamayaki
Origins
At the summit of Wakakusayama’s third tier lies Uguisuzuka Kofun, a massive keyhole-shaped burial mound.
According to an old superstition, ghosts from the tomb frightened people, but burning the mountain would keep them away. It was also believed that something bad would happen unless the mountain was burned by around January of the following year. These beliefs persisted for many years, and people passing through the mountain are said to have begun setting fires on their own.
Fires repeatedly threatened the grounds of Todai-ji Temple as a result, and in December 1738 the Nara Magistrate’s Office put up a sign on Mt. Wakakusa prohibiting arson. Even so, fires set by unknown people continued, and the danger of fire spreading to nearby temples and shrines never ceased. By the end of the Edo period, the mountain came to be burned under the supervision of the neighboring Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji temples and the Nara Magistrate’s Office.
In this way, Yamayaki began as what might be called a ritual to calm the spirit buried in the Uguisuzuka mound on the summit, and it can also be said to have been a memorial for the dead.
Mt. Wakakusa
A gently sloping mountain covered entirely in grass, made up of three rounded, grassy hills stacked one above the other.
It stands 342 m high and covers 33 ha, and deer can be seen all over the mountain. Visitors can enjoy nature through the seasons, from cherry blossoms in spring to autumn leaves and pampas grass in autumn.
From the summit observation deck you can see the night view of the ancient capital of Nara.
*On the day of Wakakusa Yamayaki, the Shin-Wakakusayama Driveway is closed from about 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
History Timeline
- Before the Edo period
- People are said to have begun setting fire to Mt. Wakakusa to calm the spirit of the Uguisuzuka Kofun.
- 1738
- Because fires sometimes threatened the grounds of Todai-ji Temple, the Nara Magistrate’s Office put up a sign on Mt. Wakakusa prohibiting arson.
- Late Edo period
- To prevent the danger of unauthorized burning, the mountain came to be burned under the supervision and management of Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and the Nara Magistrate’s Office.
- 1900
- Previously held in the daytime, it became a nighttime event and was held on February 11 (Kigensetsu, the former National Foundation Day).
- 1910
- Management passed from volunteers of the Neiraku-kai society to Nara Prefecture.
- 1939–1945
- As World War II intensified, it was held in the daytime (afternoon) for air-defense reasons.
- 1945
- In the year the war ended, the fire was lit at 9:30 a.m. on February 15.
- 1946
- Revived as a nighttime event, with over a hundred fireworks launched.
A variety of events were held in the years that followed.
- 2000
- With the enactment of the Happy Monday law, it was held on the Sunday before Coming of Age Day.
- 2009
- The date was changed to the current fourth Saturday of January.
- 2010
- To mark the 1300th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Heijo-kyo, the fireworks display was expanded to about 600 shells.
- Today
- As an event that brings together the Shinto and Buddhist traditions of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji, it continues to be handed down with prayers for the repose of our ancestors, fire prevention throughout Nara, and world peace.
Sacred Fire Procession & Ceremonies
Bringing together the Shinto and Buddhist traditions of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji, we pray from Mt. Wakakusa, the symbol of Nara, for the repose of our ancestors’ spirits, fire prevention throughout Nara, and peace for people around the world.
Led by conch-shell horns blown by the yamabushi of Kinpusen-ji Temple, a solemn period procession of about 40 people, including representatives of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji, which have deep ties to Mt. Wakakusa, and officials of the Nara Magistrate’s Office, makes its way.
4:45 p.m.
Sacred Fire Reception Ceremony(Tobihino, Great Tondo bonfire site)
A ceremony is held to receive the sacred fire from the Kasuga Great Tondo bonfire.
5:05 p.m.
Sacred Fire Procession Departs (Tobihino)
The sacred fire procession departs from Tobihino and carries the sacred fire to Nogami Shrine.
5:25 p.m.
Torch Lighting (Near Mizuya Shrine)
At the torch-lighting site set up near Mizuya Shrine, torches are lit with the sacred fire of Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
5:40 p.m.
Nogami Shrine Ritual (foot of Mt. Wakakusa)
The sacred fire procession lights the bonfire at Nogami Shrine. First, Kasuga Taisha Shrine holds a ritual to pray for the safe completion of the Yamayaki event.
Next, while monks of Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and Kinpusen-ji chant sutras, fire is transferred from the bonfire to torches, which are then carried to the great bonfire at the center of the foothill.
6:15 p.m.
Lighting the Great Bonfire
The great bonfire set up at the center of the foothill is lit.
Behind the Scenes of Wakakusa Yamayaki
At Wakakusa Yamayaki, held on the fourth Saturday of January each year, visitors enjoy beautiful fireworks spreading across the night sky and powerful flames burning across the mountainside. The event can be held safely every year thanks to the many people who support it behind the scenes. Here are a few glimpses behind the scenes.
Cutting Firebreaks
To keep the fire from spreading across the mountain, the pampas grass around the ignition areas is cut in advance to create firebreaks of a set width. Without firebreaks, the fire would spread over the whole mountain, which would be extremely dangerous.
Making the Torches
Torches are essential to Wakakusa Yamayaki, and every one of them is handmade by the staff of the Nara Park Office! Do you know how they are made?
How to Make a Torch
The torch material, called jin (the resin-rich root of the pine tree), is shaved and shaped piece by piece. About 1,000 pieces are prepared each year from autumn to winter.
The jin is packed into a bamboo tube. For a large torch, 70 to 90 pieces of jin go into a single tube.
For large torches, cypress leaves are wrapped around the pine jin and tied with wisteria vine. Wrapping the cypress leaves helps the torch burn well.
Finished
Actual torches and large torches are on display at the Nara Park Office. Please stop by and take a look.
