Sensoji – World War Two Ceremony
As far as the Japanese are concerned, the Second World War ended on August 15th, 1945, 67 years ago, when the Emperor surrendered. Since then, on each anniversary the Sensoji temple in Asakusa holds a ceremony where they light lanterns marked with the names of war dead and pray for the souls of those who died in the war. For a few years the lanterns were put into Sumida river close to the temple but due to construction in the river in the years after the war the practice ended and these days the lanterns are ritually extinguished and then burnt in ritual pyre behind the temple while the monks chant prayers.
Great photos of the delicate moment. And I see you caught another handsome guy on film… this time a monk! @_@;;; I love his back-of-the-head shape…
Thank you Juuri! Oh yes, some of the younger monks are very handsome indeed!