Hitakisai at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kyoto

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Three beauties in kimono, Fushimi Inari Taisha

The torii, symbol of the Fushimi Inari Taisha

Several ceremonies were taking place at the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine on Saturday November 8th.  There were a lot of people at the Shrine.  We wanted to see the Hitakisai (火焚き祭)ceremony (fire ritual) and started to wait on line about one and a half hour before the beginning.  About 20 people were already waiting ahead of us.
Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) Ceremony at the Fushimi Inari Taisha
People purify themselves before entering the shrine, Fushimi Inari Taisha

We’re in the Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) season and quite a few little girls (3 and 7 year old) as well as little boys (5 year old) were wearing gorgeous kimono.
The Hitakisai held at Fushimi Inari shrine is one of many autumn festivals held in Japan. The fire ritual worships ‘Inari Okami’, an old traditional white fox, the god of prosperity and abundance. By burning straws from harvested rice plants, the ceremony gives thanks for the year’s harvest. The ceremony is conducted at Inari Shrines all over Japan. However, the most famous Inari Hitakisai is held at Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Arrival of the priests for the Fushimi Inari Hitakisai, Kyoto
As usual in Japan, the ceremony started on time. The line stretched quite far as more and more people wanted to attend. We were lucky to get a good spot from where we could have a direct line of sight to part of the action, and therefore we’ll be able to get pictures.

 

The priests arrived, walking quickly to their position for the ceremony.

 

The Hitakisai ceremony starts, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Three fires are started to burn straws and prayer sticks, Hitakisai at the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Three spots had been prepared with logs covered with green pine branches. Straws and prayer sticks were piled in the middle. Priests used three torches to light the three fires at once and they started burning with impressive intensity, filling the whole place with heavy smoke.

 

More and more prayers sticks are thrown into the fire, Fushimi Inari Taisha Hitakisai

More and more prayers sticks are thrown into the fire, Fushimi Inari Taisha Hitakisai

The priests kept on throwing more and more prayer sticks into the fire. These have been collected throughout the year – they were getting blessed and thrown in the fire.

A senior priest comes to each fire and casts leaves and salt, Fushimi Inari Taisha Hitakisai

 

 

A senior priest comes to each fire and casts leaves and salt. People around sang prayers alongside the various officiants.

 

 

 

Two shrine maidens perform a slow ceremonial dance with bells during the Fushimi Inari Hitakisai ceremony
Two shrine maidens perform a slow ceremonial dance with bells during the Fushimi Inari Hitakisai ceremony

Two shrine maidens perform a slow ceremonial dance with bells while other maidens play some music and the people sing prayers. It was quite intense, mainly with the fires continuing to rage.

More and more prayers sticks are thrown into the fire, Fushimi Inari Taisha Hitakisai
More prayers sticks are thrown into the fire, Fushimi Inari Taisha Hitakisai

 

The priests continue to throw prayer sticks into the fires.

A shrine maiden performing a slow ceremonial dance with bells during the Fushimi Inari Hitakisai ceremony
A shrine maiden singing during the Fushimi Inari Hitakisai ceremony

 

A shrine maiden performing a slow ceremonial dance with bells during the Fushimi Inari Hitakisai ceremony

Senior priests bringing leaves and salt for benediction, Fushimi Inari Hitakisai

As the ceremony seemed to repeat itself, we decided to leave. It has been a new and interesting experience.

 

 

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