Hiburi Kamakura: The festival of Fire and Snow

Surrounded by a ring of spectators, a hiburi dancer takes hold of his weapon – a fiery bale of hay and charcoal. Their enemy is not one that can be seen or heard. But to the locals of Kakunodate it’s a threat that cannot be ignored.

Zen Buddhists have a saying about enlightenment: “To burn Mount Sumeru with the light of a firefly.” In other words, to try to reach enlightenment through logic or common sense is futile; like trying to light up a mountain with the glow of an insect. But that hasn’t stopped the locals of Kakunodate from trying.

Every lunar new year, around mid-February, a snowy corner of Akita Prefecture hosts the Hiburi Kamakura, the festival of fire and snow. The rituals mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring, but they also invite the positive energy of good spirits, or ‘kami’.

Alongside the frozen Kinokinai River near a cluster of sleeping cherry blossom trees, locals construct little igloos called kamakura – shrines for the Shinto water god, Sui Jin. Children rush from one kamakura to the next, respectfully making offerings in return for good health and fortune. Like all animist gods, Sui Jin is partial to a bribe of mochi balls and sake.

Sui Jin is one of the ‘good’ spirits and is mainly in charge of protecting fishermen. But in the landlocked town of Kakunodate, he is called upon to protect rice fields and to prevent failed harvests. Harvesting rice is a tricky trade and, since many people in this region still make a living through agriculture, nobody is taking their chances. Especially given the threat of Yuki-Onna, or the ‘Snow Woman’.

In some stories, Yuki-Onna is depicted as a complex woman whose bitterness was borne from a life of tragedy. But many believe she was plain evil from the very start. In some parts of Japan, those who don’t acknowledge her shrill cries are punished and shoved into a valley to their death. Children in Akita are told early on that if they’re not careful, the snow woman will come to eat their souls.

In Japanese animism, all spirits must be appeased, no matter how uncooperative they might be. During the first part of the Hiburi Kamakura festival, a shrine is constructed in their honor, decorated with offerings and good luck charms. Shinto priests, or kannushi, lead the worship. Dressed in thin silk robes, these figures of pink, red and blue punctuate the snow-covered landscape. They recite prayers in calm, measured tones, defying the elements with their equanimity. Before them is a group of men with their heads bowed in reverence, stoically standing their ground against the evil spirits of winter.

As the night goes on, a bonfire is lit and bales of hay and charcoal are tied up with lengths of straw rope. Locals participating in the Hiburi dance prepare by wrapping their hair in headscarves and slipping their hands into protective gloves, to stop them from getting singed. The stage for the battle against Yuki Onna is set.

A dancer takes hold of one end of the rope as the attached bale is set on fire. Slowly, the bale picks up momentum and forms a protective halo. A rush of wind feeds oxygen to the flame and the fire roars to life as it swings faster and faster. The heat melts the falling snow into rain. Tendrils of fire curl magnetically around the dancer’s body.

Hiburi Kamakura in Kakunodate

The fire illuminates the faces of the crowd like the backlit frames of a reel of film; expressions suspended in delight, awe and wonder. The hiburi dancers transport the audience to a spiritual realm; a world where ghosts and spirits rule; where logic and common sense fall short; a place where the mystical properties of fire might be the only thing humans can use to defend themselves against misfortune.

The hiburi dancers must withstand intense heat and dense clouds of smoke until they’ve forced out the evil spirits of winter. Eventually, when the flames are flickering just inches away from the hands, the bale is swung into the direction of a bonfire. Is Yuki-Onna gone for good? Only time will tell. Have they done enough to summon Sui Jin? The livelihoods of locals in Kakunodate may depend on it.

It’s no coincidence that there’s a symmetry in the kanji for fire (火) and human (人); the curved legs of these two kanji represent the potential for both good and bad. Fire can bring death and destruction, but can also create warmth, light and energy. Similarly, according to Buddhist conceptions of good and bad, humans at their worst can exist in a purely physical world where all that exists is what can be seen, heard and felt. But, if they choose to fulfill their potential for good, they can live in the spiritual world. And in doing so, they can reach the mythical Mount Sumeru and experience enlightenment.

It might look like the locals of Kakunodate are just swinging balls of flaming hay around their bodies. But if you look a little deeper, you might be lucky enough to see Mount Sumeru, on fire with the light of Hiburi Kamakura.

Read more: Top favorite summer dishes in Japan

Source Siukei Cheung/ The Culture Trip

What to know before trekking in Nepal

Nepal is famous as a trekking destination, and the majority of trekkers have a great time. But however popular it is, Nepal is still a rugged and under-developed country where mountain communities can be very isolated, supplies are limited, and weather is changeable.

Planning for a trek in Nepal should not be taken lightly. To ensure you have a successful trek in the Nepali Himalaya, keep these tips in mind.

Altitude education

The Himalaya are a beautiful range of mountains, but it is important not to get too starry-eyed about your surroundings and to remember proper high-altitude safety. Researching the effects of high altitude and the dangers it can present prior to arriving in Nepal will help solidify the knowledge before you are overwhelmed with the excitement and culture shock of your trip to Nepal.

Everyone, at some point or other in their high-altitude adventures, will have trouble acclimatising to the thinner air. There is no way to predict how your body will react, but, again knowledge is power. The only way to truly acclimatise well is by taking your time; do not rush the ascent or push your body if it is telling you to rest.

Bring the right gear for your trek in Nepal

If you are going with a trekking agency, they will send you a list with your itinerary and provide you with some essentials.
Please note that in both a guided trek and non-guided trek your backpack should not be too heavy. You are only making it hard for you or your porter.

Maps are often wrong

Yet another reason why hiring a guide is a good idea. Maps of mountainous terrain are often wrong. Terrain can change from year to year due to landslides or changes in a river’s course. Formatting issues can mean that what looks like a small town on a map is in reality just a single hut.

And, most worryingly, altitudes marked can be wrong. There was a well-known case of the Lake Gosainkunda map marking one settlement as 1000 metres lower than it actually was, and thus leading some trekkers to experience serious inconvenience and altitude-related problems.

Do not forget the trekking poles

The same applies for trekking poles. Failing to take at least a single trekking pole is something that identifies you as a first-time trekker who does not realize their value. Once you have tried trekking with poles, you will be a convert. No matter how fit you are, steep ascents and descents can be very tough on the joints. It is always good to have a bit of extra support.

Beware of the air

You will get a lot of use out of a face mask or a Buff! Kathmandu is a very interesting city, but it is overpopulated and extremely polluted. The smog is so thick that locals often wear face masks to work. If you start to develop a tickle in your throat while in the city, it may not be a cold, just the thick, dirty air.

In the mountains, the air is crystal clear but very thin and dry. Again, your Buff or face mask will
continue to be your friend as it protects your lungs from this harsh dry air and the dreaded "Khumbu Cough." The Khumbu Cough, or the high-altitude hack, will make trekking – and breathing – more difficult. Avoiding over-exertion and wearing a mask to keep moisture in the air going into your lungs will help prevent this.

Work out before you go on your trek in Nepal

A trek is a great way to stay fit, but you already have to be in shape before you go. Do not worry, you do not have to have a six-pack or be super slim and muscled, but you should have a good condition. You should not choose a very intense trek in Nepal if you are already out of breath after walking up some stairs.

See more: Discover the best traditional dishes in Nepal

Source Internet

A day to explore Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a city in which majestic religious sites, beautiful cobbled streets and ancient tunnels are the norm. Prepare to be captivated by Jerusalem’s history and intrigue with this visual guide to its key sites.

Mount of Olives

A mountain ridge east of Jerusalem’s Old City, the Mount of Olives is where many tours of Jerusalem begin. This is an important site of worship for Christians, as several key events in the life of Jesus are believed to have occurred here. The Mount of Olives has also been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years.

Garden of Gethsemane

Located at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, this garden is significant for Christians due to its role in the story of Jesus’s crucifixion – it is believed that he prayed here the night before. Moreover, the garden’s olive trees are among the oldest in the world, with some being at least 900 years old.

Temple Mount

Located in the Old City, Temple Mount is one of the world’s holiest – and most contested – sites due to its religious significance in Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It contains three great structures: the al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock and the Dome of the Chain, as well as four minarets.

Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem is Israel’s largest Holocaust memorial, shaped as a prism on the slopes of the Mount of Remembrance on the edge of Jerusalem. With nine galleries showing the Holocaust through photographs, films, documents, letters, works of art, and personal items found in the camps and ghettos, visiting Yad Vashem is an incredibly important and moving experience.

Tower of David

Also known as ‘Jerusalem’s Citadel’, this structure is a medieval fortress which has been developed architecturally over time. A site of tremendous archaeological significance, the Tower of David is located on the western side of the Old City, near the Jaffa Gate.

The Cardo

Roughly 1,500 years ago, this was one of Jerusalem’s busiest roads. Now, it is one of the key attractions in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, due to its impressive columns and built-in modern shopping lane.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Located in the Christian Quarter, this ancient and labyrinthine church is built over the tomb of Jesus and is believed to be the scene of his crucifixion. For many Christians, this has been the most important pilgrimage destination since at least the 4th century. Today it also serves as the headquarters of the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Read more: The best dishes to try in Israel

Source The culture trip