During the Autumn’s evening, candles glow mysteriously by the riverside. As Summer vanishes, Autumn and the cold wind change all the colours, and each year at the end of September, in the Muromigawa Riverside Park, a candle event takes place. Depending on the year’s theme, the candles are disposed to take the shape of messages or even flowers. When the sun sets, the candles glow, and many different figures rise to surface for the visitors to admire.
• 9/27 (Sat.)
• Kahan Kouen (Riverside Park)
• Free
• 6-15, Kotabe, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka
• http://www.itoloco.com/detail/index_709.html
What is Tomyo Watching? 灯明ウォッチングとは？
Traditionally, “tomyo” lanterns are illuminated as votive offerings to the gods and Buddha, or at memorial services (供養). The Hakata Tomyo Watching festival started in 1994, inspired from a traditional ceremony called Sentomyo that is held at temples and shrines in Fukuoka and Oita in which 1,000 paper lanterns are lit up. The beautifully illuminated paper lanterns symbolize prayers for good health and the well-being of one’s family.
