990115dondo

Japanese

January 15: Dondo Fire ceremony
by Mie

We have an annual event called "Dondo Fire" held in an open square in our Fujimigaoka community. We burn all the ornaments and decorations used for the New Year ceremony. A small fire engine of the community waits for quenching fire after the event. All the preparations of the event will soon start.

A Shinto priest (far left, in a white clothing) prepares the altar to "clean" the holly ground on which God will come down from heaven. Dondo (green bamboo and used New Year's ornaments) are piled up high. A torch is also set in front of the Dondo. I put my decorations in the pile.

The wife of the Shinto priest sets up the altar by standing four pillars and a Shimenawa (straw festoon decorated with cut paper.)

During the waiting, we had a Amasake (a sweet drink made from fermented rice) drink service prepared by the women's association of the community. The drink warms my body from inside. As it was so tasty, I had three cups of it.

Now all the preparation are completed. A red-and-white-striped curtain is set around the altar. AT the entrance to the holly place are a holly mirror and a comma-shaped bead (on the right), and a holly sword (on the left.) All the guests and officials sit on the chairs arranged in front of the altar. The priest recited a Shinto prayer in wish for the safety and health of the residents.

After the pray, the altar is immediately cleaned and people set for the ignition.

The member of the helps ignite to the torch. The boss of the residents' association set fire on the pile.
A flame broke out high into the sky.

Many residents came up in twos and threes to throw their used decorations into the fire. The flame has grown very big. If one is warmed by the fire, he or she will not catch colds and go well with all through the year. I have heard this wish since I was a small girl.

I hear a lovely voice. Yes, this is the Miyases of COARA member. We enjoyed Amasake again and watched the growing fire.

Finally, the fire is going down at the end of the pleasant event. Some fire brigade members put the bamboo and straw ropes used in the Shinto ceremony into the fire. Today, I visited Yusuhara Shrine in the afternoon and joined the Dondo event in the evening. I have had a good day. I wish the year will be good for all of us.

Mie Home

January 15: Dondo Fire ceremony by Mie
	We have an annual event called "Dondo Fire" held in an open square in our Fujimigaoka community. We burn all the ornaments and decorations used for the New Year ceremony. A small fire engine of the community waits for quenching fire after the event. All the preparations of the event will soon start.
	A Shinto priest (far left, in a white clothing) prepares the altar to "clean" the holly ground on which God will come down from heaven. Dondo (green bamboo and used New Year's ornaments) are piled up high. A torch is also set in front of the Dondo. I put my decorations in the pile.
	The wife of the Shinto priest sets up the altar by standing four pillars and a Shimenawa (straw festoon decorated with cut paper.)
	During the waiting, we had a Amasake (a sweet drink made from fermented rice) drink service prepared by the women's association of the community. The drink warms my body from inside. As it was so tasty, I had three cups of it.
	Now all the preparation are completed. A red-and-white-striped curtain is set around the altar. AT the entrance to the holly place are a holly mirror and a comma-shaped bead (on the right), and a holly sword (on the left.) All the guests and officials sit on the chairs arranged in front of the altar. The priest recited a Shinto prayer in wish for the safety and health of the residents.
	After the pray, the altar is immediately cleaned and people set for the ignition.
The member of the helps ignite to the torch. The boss of the residents' association set fire on the pile. A flame broke out high into the sky.
	Many residents came up in twos and threes to throw their used decorations into the fire. The flame has grown very big. If one is warmed by the fire, he or she will not catch colds and go well with all through the year. I have heard this wish since I was a small girl.
I hear a lovely voice. Yes, this is the Miyases of COARA member. We enjoyed Amasake again and watched the growing fire.
	Finally, the fire is going down at the end of the pleasant event. Some fire brigade members put the bamboo and straw ropes used in the Shinto ceremony into the fire. Today, I visited Yusuhara Shrine in the afternoon and joined the Dondo event in the evening. I have had a good day. I wish the year will be good for all of us.