The south area of Nara prefecture is the main stream of "Shugendo", one kind of Esoteric Buddhism. There are numerous ceremonies remained in those areas relating to Yoshino, Ohmine and Shingon. However I think "Walking on fire"of Houkaku temple at Kurotaki village is most wonderful. This temple was developed by a famous prayer, Rigen Daishi, and located on the top of Mt. Kai on the way to Mt. Ohmine from Mt. Yoshino. From this point we can look down on Zaoudou at Yoshino and look Mt. Kongou, Mt. Katuragi, Mt.Shigi and Mt. Ikoma far away. This ceremony was carried out under the stars in the whole sky. I tried to use some super high sensitive negative films, ISO1600, in order to catch solemn atmosphere without a strobo. A light, a fire and darkness are mixed complexly. I guess it is very nice. It is very difficult to get this graduation. (Lens50mm, Iris f2.0, exposure1/60sec. Manual focus, ISO1600) -Reference: All my photos for Walking on fires-

Walking on fire, Houkaku_temple

Jul. 27 2003
Manual_Focus Lens50mm
PR-24

This page has been continued on January 1 2003.
and the picture was renewed on July 1 2005.
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