Hana-e-shiki (Shuni-e) at Yakushiji Temple

About this festival

Hana-e-shiki is the Shuni-e ceremony of Yakushiji Temple in Nara, named for the ten kinds of artificial flowers offered to the principal image. Ten monks perform six services each day of the period, and the temple's events page describes it as a sign of spring's arrival in Nara. The fire-walking ceremony follows the burning of prayer sticks on March 25, and the Oni-oi-shiki demon-calming ceremony takes place on March 31.

Highlights

• ✓About 1,600 handmade washi paper flowers in ten types offered to the principal image
• ✓March 25: prayer sticks burned in front of the Fudo Hall, followed by fire-walking
• ✓March 31: Oni-oi-shiki, in which Bishamonten calms rampaging demons
• ✓Six services each day performed by ten monks

Getting There