- The Yoshida Fire Festival originally scheduled for August 26-27 has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
What makes a fire festival?
Photo by: st12_10 Fire festival in full flame.
After visiting Yoshida Fire Festival, you’ll see why it is so distinct from other fire festivals in Japan. During the event, more than 70 three-meter-high torches line a two-kilometer stretch along the city’s main street. When dusk falls over the city, locals ignite the giant torches simultaneously and the street blazes like an orange river instantly.
Photo by: Kaitlyn Smith The small fires are in the actual shrine area.
Although sparks do flicker off the torches, there’s never been any fire-related accidents. Locals say this is because the festival is protected by the goddess of fire safety that is worshipped at the shrine. Legend states that she even gave birth in the middle of a fire to prove she was faithful to her husband. The festival also includes the carrying of the heavy Oyama mikoshi (portable shrine) shaped like Mount Fuji.
Photo by: Kaitlyn Smith The torches lead up to the shrine.
This is one of the few times you can see a mikoshi thrown on the ground in Japan. As the mikoshi is thrown down, it makes a loud crash, similar to the rumblings of an active volcano. This is done to pacify the mountain gods. The mikoshi are paraded and torches are lit on the first night (Yoshida fire festival) and mikoshi are also paraded on the second day which is called the Susuki Festival (named after the silver grass used in the rituals).
The festival’s history
Photo by: john_tran88 The festival is held at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
Long ago, the shrine marked the start of the Yoshida mountain trail. However, today, this starting point is hardly used; many choose to ascend the mountain from the 5th stations to cut climbing time.
Yoshida Fire Festival dates back some 400 years. Although the festival’s origin is a bit fuzzy, locals generally agree that it’s performed to calm the mountain gods. It was believed that whenever the gods were angry, Mount Fuji erupted. The festival also thanks the gods for a safe climbing season and ceremoniously closes the season.
