Crossing the fire barefoot for spiritual cleansing. The fire protection festival at Manpuku Temple/Odawara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201290004/

January 29, 2012

The fire protection festival, where large numbers of people came to visit the Manpuku Temple of Nakazato, Odarawara city

On the 28th, the spiritual training ritual of crossing fire was held at the Manpuku Temple of Nakazato, Odarawara city. Known as the "Festival of defending against fire", Buddhist monks walked barefoot over the flames. Large numbers of people arrived at the temple, to wish for health and safety for themselves and their family.

At the temple, summoned by the howl of the Horegai trumpet, priests outfitted in Yamabushi clothing assemble together. After discussion amongst themselves, a mountain of Ogoma (Japanese site) and decorative ropes roughly the height of a human is set ablaze. Visitors to the temple write down their prayers for future events on wood, throwing it into the fire.

After the strength of the blaze weakened, temple visitors proceeded to join hands and cross over it themselves, wishing for a year of good health.

Original text

素足で火の上渡る「火渡り修行」も、満福寺で火伏まつり/小田原

2012年1月29日

大勢の参拝者が訪れた「火伏（ひぶせ）まつり」＝小田原市中里、満福寺

素足で火の上を渡る「火渡り修行」で知られる「火伏（ひぶせ）まつり」が28日、小田原市中里の満福寺で行われた。大勢の参拝者が訪れ、無病息災や家内安全を願った。

　

境内には山伏装束に身を包んだ修験者たちが、ほら貝の音色とともに参集。山伏問答などを行った後、人の背ほどに高く積まれた護摩札やしめ飾りの山に火が付けられると、参拝者が願い事を書き入れた「祈願木」を投げ入れた。

終盤では燃えさかる炎の上を、素足の山伏たちが刀をかざして一気に渡る火渡りを披露。火勢を弱めた後には参拝客たちも次々と手を合わせながら火渡りを行い、一年の健康を願った。