A Sense of Kinship with a Germanic Tradition

On the way back from my holidays over the Easter weekend, I saw a fire on the distant horizon. 🔥 That was a so-called Easter fire.
 
Easter fires are said to have a Germanic origin and are meant to drive away the evil spirits of the winter.
 
A fire ceremony welcoming spring? That sounds familiar to me...
 
There is a common custom throughout Japan to make a big fire in an open space at the end of the New Year season. It is called Dondo-Yaki or Dondon-Yakai in my part of the country. Fire is set to a pile of wood or bamboo bushes around 15th of January before dawn. People pray for good fortune and health by burning New Year ornaments like pine boughs (門松 = kadomatsu) or sacred straw ropes (しめ縄 = shimenawa).
 
Children love roasting rice cakes over the open fire. It is so simple yet can be a great feast in the early morning hours on a cold January morning ❄. The event definitely helps build a bond among locals.
 
Unfortunately, I’ve never had a chance to see any Easter fire in person. Knowing that live gatherings attracting large crowds were banned in the last two years, it feels good to see the equivalent of this centuries-old Japanese tradition. The remote glow of an Easter fire appeared to be more heart-warning 💗 than ever.
 
Yes, fire has its magic power over rural folks both in Germany and Japan alike.
 
#culture #tradition #germany #japan #easter #newyear #easterfire #dondonyaki