Fire‑Walking & Masks: Tokyo’s Spiritual Shake‑Up Amid Pandemic
On Sunday, a bonfire‑lit shrine near Mt. Takaosan turned into a literal hot‑seat for folk who wanted to keep their families safe. Picture this: Buddhist monks chanting, a stack of embers, and barefoot footfalls—all while everyone keeps a respectable distance and keeps masks on. The whole thing feels like a secret cult‑concert, but it’s actually an annual tradition that’s survived 50 years of history and now swings a new COVID twist.
Why Fire? What’s the History?
According to Koshou Kamimura, a monk at Takaosan Yakuouin Temple, walking across hot coals isn’t just a cool stunt—it’s a pure‑soul cleanse that sends prayers straight to Buddha. And honestly, Mt. Takaosan has long been the go‑to spot for folks hoping to escape disease. So last year, when the whole country was crawling for the end of the pandemic, this fire‑walking festival was shut down. This year, they rolled back the gates but kept the crowd to 1,000.
The “Hiwatari Matsuri” – A Half‑Century Legacy
- Monks ignite wood and Japanese cypress leaves, creating a roaring blaze.
- After the flames die down, they splash water over the embers, pull the ashes out, and arrange them in two neat rows.
- Participants, mask‑on and feet bare, step through the quartz‑warm lines while chanting.
- Even playful little ones have been lifted over the flames, adding a touch of “fun safe” to the solemn scene.
Covid Rules Meet Traditional Ritual
Because masks are mandatory and everyone must keep their distance, the vibe is a bit tense—but we can’t deny it’s a nice blend of old‑school spirituality and modern caution. “I prayed that the disease doesn’t spread further,” says Eriko Nakamura, who watched the monks march past with her mask on, her thoughts jammed with worry for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
She adds, “The Olympic Games are indoors, so hope for a 50‑percent cut in spectators. It might just keep everyone from turning the event into a spontaneous congregation of coughs.” While Japan’s case numbers are lower than a handful of other countries, the city still’s in the emergency zone, juggling a possible third wave.
What This Means for the Games
Tokyo’s own metections of the Olympics may bounce off this festival’s social‑distancing playbook. Residents and pollsters alike are leaning toward restricting the number of feet that can cheer, keeping the idea that too many cheers might just be a “fiery” problem.
Finally, a kind of kumbaya moment—no matter how many people are breathing out, whether through a mask or behind a stage, each footfall of the fire‑walkers is a silent promise of safety and hope, a fire‑lit message that life’s rhythm is moving forward, step by step.
