Sanki Daigongen Autumn Grand Festival and Saito Goma Fire Ritual

About this event

Held at Head Temple Daisho-in in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, the "Sanki Daigongen Autumn Grand Festival and Saito Goma" is a long-standing traditional ritual. Dedicated to the temple's guardian deity, Sanki Daigongen, it is observed every year on November 15. The ceremony begins at 11:00 in the Mani-den Hall with the Dai-Hannya Tendoku Hoyo (ritual chanting of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra), performed to ward off all suffering and disasters and pray for happy lives. Following this, the Saito Dai-Goma-ku Hiwatari Shinji (fire-walking ritual) takes place from 13:00. Goma wooden prayer sticks inscribed with each worshipper's wish are burned, and walking across the embers is believed to burn away worldly desires with the flames of great wisdom and grant various prayers. In this fire-walking ritual, the head priest, monks, yamabushi mountain ascetics, devotees, and general worshippers cross in order; watching them walk barefoot while chanting their prayers is an impressive sight. Daisho-in holds this fire-walking ceremony twice a year, in spring and autumn, with the Autumn Grand Festival regarded as one of its most important observances. Viewing is free, but an additional participation fee is required if you wish to take part in the fire-walking. The venue is approximately a 30-minute walk from Miyajima Pier.

Venue

Daisho-in Temple

210 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588