July: Otebi(Bonfire), the Shrine ritual

“Otebi Festival” of Tomonoura is known as one of three major Bonfire, along with “Kurama no Himatsuri (Yuki Shrine, Kyoto) and “Nachi no Himatsuri” (Kumano Nachi Shrine, Wakayama). And its origin goes back to premedieval (Origin unknown). In full summer at Nunakuma shrine echo with drumming and solemn chants will take place. In addition, a divine fire that made by flint stone [More] will shifted to Otebi, and a group of Ujiko will carried it to above by taking large stone steps. This red-hot festival will convey what does the mean of an origin of fire to modern people.