A Seventh Century Pyre
Consider starting this tradition in your own community pronto
Last night we were invited to an annual village bonfire. It’s called donto-yaki and is an immolation of everyone’s New Years decorations. (No packing away the family Xmas lights in this country.)
As I’m a Dragon, and this is our zodiac year, I was asked to descend into the huge pit to help light the pyre.
Shinto priests prayed for the whole village. We were green lighted to light torches and touch them to the bottom of the junk pile.
Then boom. I’ve never seen (or HEARD) fire roar, rush, and explode like this.
The fire, stoked with plenty of brittle dry bamboo, warmed everyone. Lastly, noodles, pork and fresh vegetable soup, and hot sake were served to all by the village mamas.
This was seventh century stuff. And know what? Everyone in the 2020s should still be doing this…for community and mental health.
We got to offer incense to the local Buddhist deities and sake to the mountain god……maybe forest folk don’t like big fires in winter at the driest time of year.
I read a newsletter (or was it a show on NHK...?) about a festival like this last year that featured outstanding photos. But I can't remember now who or where it was!