Mar 20, 2013 - 1 min read

Hifuri Shinji at Aso Shrine

A fiery ritual at the base of volcanic Mt Aso

By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

A festival participant swings a fiery torch at the annual Hifuri Shinji at Aso Shrine

The torii gate of Aso Shrine lit up by the fire's glow

A host of fiery torches on the path in front of Aso Shrine

The audience comes down to try their hand

Audience members swing torches in a nearby field

Once a year, locals and visitors alike gather after dusk on the grounds of Aso Shrine in rural Kumamoto for the Hifuri Shinji, or Fire Swinging Ritual. Bales of straw are set ablaze and swung round in circles on the main pathway in front of the shrine in an appeal to the shrine deity for a bountiful harvest in the coming season. Once the prayers have been fulfilled, the audience is welcomed onto the grounds to swing their own fiery bundles. A fascinating, beautiful and slightly dangerous festival, all rolled into one!

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Find out more about Aso Shrine.

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By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

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Melanie A. 2 years ago

Is there a date set for 2024? Trying to plan way ahead to check it out. Thank you!

Olga 9 years ago

My friend also does fire shows. It's really fascinating!

Mandy Bartok Photographer 9 years ago

Sounds awesome, Olga! I really hope to be able to catch the one at the Aso Shrine again this year. It really is rather mesmerizing.

Nicole Bauer 11 years ago

Great, thanks Mandy. I'll put this down for next year then :-))

Mandy Bartok Photographer 11 years ago

Nicole, it's usually in mid-March. Last year it was March 24th, this year it was the 19th. Something about it having to fall on a certain day of the "old" calendar. (You know, day of the cow, week of the ox, month of the salamander and all that. :P)