Omizutori

The rite occurs on the last night of the Shuni-e ceremony, when monks bearing torches come to the Wakasa Well, underneath the Nigatsu-dō Hall, which according to legend only springs forth water once a year.

Eleven priests, who are called Renhyoshu, are appointed in December of the previous year to participate in the Omizutori festivals.

Each priest is very firm in the practice of his duty in specific, strict orders and in preparing himself for the ceremonies to come.

Torches are lit at the start of the Omizutori, during the ittokuka, which is held in the early morning on the first of March.

There is an evening ceremony, called Otaimatsu, in which young ascetics brandish large torches that are burning.

The next day, the rite of drawing of the water is held with an accompaniment of ancient Japanese music.

It is told that the priest, Jitchu, made a journey deep into the mountains of Kasagi in 751, where he witnessed celestial beings performing a ceremony that was meant to cleanse and ask for repentance.