A traditional fire festival was held in the mountainous area of the Tanba region of Kyoto Prefecture on the night of August 24, 2024. Residents prayed for bountiful harvests and good health as bright red flames lit up the darkness of the night.
In the Tsurugaoka area of Miyama Town, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, the "Agematsu" festival was held to mark the end of summer. When the residents threw lit torches at the bamboo baskets called "moji" attached to the tops of wooden poles called "torogi," a trail of flames appeared in the pitch black night sky over the valley.
This is a traditional event that originates from the Atago faith. It is held in four villages in Miyama Town, and Morisato and Kawai held it on August 24th.
In Morisato, a 26-meter-tall lantern was erected on the riverbed of the Tanano River, and the event began around 8:00 p.m. Men swung the ropes tied to the torches vigorously and threw them into the air.
Amid the sound of flutes and drums, many residents looked on, cheering every time the torches grazed the moji. An hour later, the torches hit their target, and the cedar leaves inside the moji burst into flames.
Finally, the flaming moji was forcefully pulled to the ground. Sparks flew up to the full height of the lanterns, and a thunderous applause erupted.
When the festival ended, a cool breeze blew in from the river, signalling the end of summer in the mountain village.
