NACHINOHIMATSURI

The fire festival (hi-matsuri) celebrated on 14th July at theKumano Nachi taisha. The waterfall of Nachi which is the highest in Japan has been the venue since ancient times for ascetic practices of a mainly Buddhist orshugendocharacter (see entry on Misogi). Numerous Buddhist temples around the shrine were destroyed in theshinbutsu-bunriattacks following theMeijirestoration, but the site is traditionally identified withKannon bosatsu. The shrine now houses twelvegongeneach of whom is carried in amikoshito the waterfall during the festival. The deities are welcomed by twelve large fiery torches from the associated hiryu ('flying waterfall') jinja.