The Chinka-sai, Fire Prevention Festival, takes place on the last day of the year in front of Itsukushima Shrine.
Local people make both large and small pine torches throughout the month of December. On the evening of the 31st, as twilight falls, families gather at the shore near the Otorii(Grand gate).
A fire torch is carried from the Shrine and all of the individual pine troches are lit. The larger pine troches are carried by 30-40 men on their shoulder's, while children carry smaller ones. As the troches intensely burn the coastline become a combination of fire and water as the people run about chanting "Yoi, Yoi." After the festival, the embers from the troches are offers to family alters as a good luck charm to prevent fire and to welcom the New Year.
| Date | December 31st, 18:00 |
|---|---|
| Location | Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima |
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