I was invited by local residents and will have the opportunity to take part in the Oto Festival!
The Oto Festival is a traditional event with a history of about 1,400 years, held every year on February 6th at Kamikura Shrine in Shingū City. Women are not permitted to participate; instead, men dressed in white garments with ropes tied around their waists carry torches lit with sacred fire. They dash down the steep stone steps from the top of Mt. Kamikura in this powerful and dramatic “fire festival.” It is said that the origins of the festival lie in the ascetic practices of the yamabushi (mountain monks of Shugendō). Over time, it developed into a sacred ritual in which households received the “divine fire.”
Since ancient times, those who participated in the festival as “Agari-ko” were required to undergo shōjin kessai (a ritual purification) starting one week in advance. Shōjin kessai is a practice in which one may eat only white foods, such as plain rice, tofu, hanpen (fish cake), shirasu (whitebait), and kamaboko (steamed fish cake). In addition, they must wear only white clothing and avoid any contact with women.
The form of shōjin kessai I chose to take on may not be the traditional one, but for me it was to give up my favorite sake for a whole week. By refraining from something I love, I sought to focus my mind and spirit in preparation for the sacred ritual!
Having successfully completed shōjin kessai, I am now ready to take part in the festival.
I will write my prayer on the torch.
This year marks a new beginning, and I pray that my family, the people living here in Kumano, and all those who visit Kumano will find happiness!
When we reached the summit, where the sacred Gotobiki Rock is enshrined, an extraordinary sight unfolded before us: about 1,500 men dressed in white robes stood silently in the darkness.
The divine fire has been brought in!
By striking the torches against the ground and slightly splitting the tips, it becomes easier to light them, so the sound of pounding echoes everywhere. From all around, fierce shouts can be heard.
The excitement instantly surges!
At last, the torches of the “Noboriko” are being lit one after another!
At that moment, the men in white garments looked like racehorses waiting for the start.
When all the torches were lit at once, it looked like a mountain fire — an overwhelming sight. Near the temple gate entrance, fierce battles broke out among the participants eager to be the first to charge down after the gate opened. So, I waited calmly further back, where it was less chaotic. Because of that, there was some waiting time before things actually got moving.
By the time the descent began, the torch flames were nearly burned out. I made it safely down the mountain, carrying a torch now reduced to glowing embers in one hand.
The Noboriko are truly fiery! For 1,400 years, men have been releasing the energy they stored up during the winter in this very festival.
御燈祭りが終わると、いよいよ春の訪れです。
