One of Kyoto's three major fire festivals, the "O-Taimatsu-shiki" (Torch Festival), was held on the night of March 15, 2026, at Saga Shakado (Seiryoji Temple) in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City. As the large torches were lit, the flames and sparks blazed across the night sky, as if announcing the arrival of spring.
This traditional event commemorates the Nirvana Ceremony (Nehan-e), the day of Buddha's death, and is said to recreate the scene of Buddha's cremation. The three large torches, made of pine branches and leaves bound together with wisteria vines, represent early-ripening, mid-season, and late-ripening rice, and the way the flames burn is used to predict the abundance or scarcity of the year's harvest.
Around 8:30 p.m., as chanting and the sound of wooden clappers echoed through the temple grounds, members of the preservation society lit large torches, each approximately 7 meters tall, one after another. Loud cheers erupted from the surrounding worshippers who had gathered to watch.
As the flames rose like dragons ascending to the heavens, crackling with sound, some locals could be seen quietly putting their hands together in prayer.
