The Fire Protection Festival at Manpuku Temple. Praying for health and well-being while crossing a fire barefoot/Odawara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1301280033/

January 29, 2013

A Buddhist priest crosses barefoot over the blazing flames=Manpuku Temple, Nakazato, Odawara City

On the 28th, Buddhist priests engaged in the practice of walking barefoot over a fire during the Fire Protection Festival of Manpuku Temple, Nakazato, Odawara City.

The event began 300 to 400+ years prior. Attempting to take on the same form as Acala "The Immoveable One," the ritual is meant to extinguish such things as misfortune and the state of kleshas.

Dressed as yamabushi, 20 Buddhist priests gathered from all over the Kanto region. They assembled together at the call of a horagai. After conversing with each other, they fired arrows in each direction in a type of Buddhist arrow ceremony. Afterwards, a bonfire made up of gomafuda, brushwood and firewood was started.

While chanting a sutra, a barefoot priest crossed the fire, waving a katana overhead. Shrine visitors continued walking the flames as well, praying for health and peace of mind.

Original text:

満福寺で「火伏まつり」、無病息災を祈り素足で「火渡り」／小田原

2013年1月29日

燃え盛る炎の上を素足で渡る修験者＝小田原市中里の満福寺

修験者らが素足で「火渡り」の修行をする「火伏まつり」が２８日、小田原市中里の満福寺で行われた。

３００～４００年以上前から伝わる行事。不動明王と同じ姿になることで、煩悩や災難などを焼き尽くす意味があるとされる

関東一円から集まった山伏姿の修験者約２０人が、法螺貝（ほらがい）を吹きながら集結。問答や各方角に矢を放つ宝弓の儀式などの後、護摩札や柴（しば）が薪（まき）で焚（た）き上げられた。

読経の中、素足の修験者が刀を振りかざして火を渡ると、参拝者も続いて歩き、無病息災などを祈っていた。

A pearl sinks into a volcano. At Araihama Beach, Mount Fuji and the full moon perform together/Miura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1301270009/

January 28, 2013

The dreamy scenery of the "Mount Fuji Pearl"=6:00AM, January 27, Araihama Beach, Misakimachi Koajiro, Miura City

The full moon slowly descended behind the summit of Mount Fuji, appearing as if it was being sucked inside. The surreal "Mount Fuji Pearl" could be seen at about 6:00AM, January 27th at Araihama Beach of Misakimachi Koajiro, Miura City.

Because the sky quickly darkened once the moon passed over the rising sun, this created an ideal condition for photography. Along Arai beach, 10 amateur photographers had their tripods set up, their shutters busily snapping pictures. On that day, Miura's Aburatsubo Bay was also an ideal spot to enjoy the "Fuji Pearl." Cameramen were seen lined up around the neighborhood, gazing towards Mount Fuji.


Original text:
火口に沈む真珠の玉、荒井浜で富士と満月が共演／三浦
2013年1月28日

幻想的な光景「パール富士」＝２７日午前６時ごろ、三浦市三崎町小網代の荒井浜

富士山頂に吸い込まれるように、満月がゆっくりと沈む－。幻想的な光景「パール富士」が２７日午前６時ごろ、三浦市三崎町小網代の荒井浜で見ることができた。

月の入りが日の出よりかなり早く暗いため、撮影条件は良くなかったが、浜には約１０人のアマチュアカメラマンが三脚を立て、盛んにシャッターを切っていた。この日は同市の油壺湾周辺が「パール富士」観賞の適地だったため、富士山を望める付近のスポットにもカメラマンが並ぶ姿が見られた。