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The lanterns, 3000 in number, have been dedicated by people including the Fujiwara family since 800 years ago. In the past, the lanterns were lit every night while oil stuff lasted. The special rite called Manto, literally Ten-thousand Lanterns, was sometimes held in order to pray for rain. Since the Meiji Era, all the lanterns have been lit twice a year: at Setsubun (the day for purification by throwing beans) on February 3 or 4, and on August 14 and 15. This event is called "Mantoro of Kasuga." The Man-toro began to be held to meet the spiritual need of the Meiji people who were unsatisfied with the fact that the lanterns were not lit every night any more because of the shortage of oil stuff at that time. The world of illusion appears on the shadows of lanterns mirrored in the Mitarai River along the corridor, and the shrine presents a lively scene with worshipers enjoying the event. Bugaku, or a court music and dance, is performed at Setsubun in February and August 14. |
