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Miyajima Island (official known as Itsukushima Island) floats like a diamond in the Inland Sea of Japan. From ancient times, people have sensed the spiritual sanctity of Miyajima, and have revered and worshipped the island itself as goddesses

Daishoin Temple is an ancient Shingon Buddhist temple built at the foot of

the sacred Mt Misen. Including Mt. Misen, Daishō-in is within

the World Heritage Area of Itsukushima Shrine. Every 15th of April and November the Daishoin

Temple on Miyajima island holds a walking

over fire ceremony called Hiwatari Shiki  

The "Hiwatari Shiki" is sponsored by the Daishoin

Temple and takes place twice a year on April and November

15th. This is a religious rite performed by the Shingon

Sect of Buddhism.

walking over fire ceremony called Hiwatari Shiki 

Con

ch s

hell

horn

s

Japanese Conch shell horn

The impressive Hiwatari Shinji takes place in the grounds of

Daisho-in Temple at the

foot of Mt Misen on the sacred

island of Miyajima

Each year on November 15th

and April 15th, Daisho-in Temple invites

visitors to Miyajima for reciting sutras and the "crossing of light" - Hiwatari-

shiki Ritual Fire Walking

Sutras

One origin of fire walking can be found in a myth about a goddess who was questioned by her husband to prove her innocence by setting on fire their house without getting scorched

The ceremony begins at 11:00a.m. with a purification

offering to the altar, and chanting of Buddhist sutras

This is followed by two Buddhist monks circling the area with swords and then

shooting 7 arrows into the air which the worshippers

struggle to retrieve

Lastly, while mountain priests blow their conch shells the

arrangement of cypress branches is ignited

After the fire burns down and only red coals remain, the

head Buddhist monk, followed by the mountain

monks and worshippers, walk barefoot across the coals chanting a prayer for good

health and fortune

All are welcome to participate in the ceremony, but your shoes should be removed with your pants rolled up before reaching the altar and nothing should be on your head or in your hands

The Altar

The line to walk gets very long,

very fast, so if you want to avoid a long wait make

sure you’re near the ropes in front of the altar once the monks start

spreading out the coals and ash

Since the line is so long, the

monks keep the walk very fast

paced, if you go too slow expect one of them to

push you forward encouraging you

to speed up

If you are on crutches or use a

cane, they will take it from you,

but they will assist you across

The Altar

Walking over fire ceremony called Hiwatari Shiki 

The common motive is that the innocent and pure will not be touched by fire. It is said that if you have a guilty conscience the ember becomes hot

The altar

Kannon Bosatsu or Deity of Mercy

Taiko drum

Taiko have a mythological

origin in Japanese

folklore, but historical records

suggest that taiko were

introduced to Japan through

Korean and Chinese cultural

influence as early as the 6th

century CE

The process of constructing taiko varies

between manufacturers, and preparation of both the drum

body and skin can take several years depending on methodology

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu Nicoleta Leu Gabriela Balaban InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Japan Buddhism Music 2016