Fallen leaves burned at Oku-Nikko shrine
On Friday, the first day of winter in Japan’s old calendar, Shinto priests and shrine maidens at a shrine in Oku-Nikko, north of Tokyo, swept up and burned leaves to bid farewell to autumn.
The lakeside shrine at an altitude of about 1,200 meters holds the annual event to prepare for winter.
The priests and maidens used bamboo brooms to sweep maple and azalea leaves into a heap.
They then made a bonfire as worshippers and tourists took pictures.
One priest said burning leaves makes him think of the harsh winter ahead.
2008/11/07 16:40
