Gozan no Okuribi -- The Five Mountain Send-off Fires

What Is Gozan no Okuribi?

August 16th is the day of "Gozan no Okuribi," a traditional event that lights up the summer nights of Kyoto. Bonfires are lit on five mountains around the city to send off the spirits of ancestors welcomed home during Obon, back to the other world.

Five Mountains, Five Glowing Characters and Shapes

Gozan no Okuribi is one of Kyoto's signature summer traditions, with a different character or shape lit on each of five mountains.

• The five mountains: the character "Dai" on Nyoigatake (Mt. Daimonji), "Myo" and "Ho" on the Matsugasaki hills, a boat shape on Mt. Funayama, "Left Dai" on Mt. Ohkitayama, and a torii gate shape on Mt. Mandara in Saga -- lit in that order across the night sky
• Timing: starting with "Dai" at 8:00 p.m., the fires are lit in succession every five minutes -- Myōhō, the boat, Hidari Daimonji, and the torii gate (the schedule was revised to five-minute intervals in 2014)
• The name "Daimonji-yaki": in the Kanto region and elsewhere it is sometimes called "Daimonji-yaki," but in Kyoto people do not add "yaki" and generally just call the fires, including the other four, "Daimonji"

The Meaning of the Send-off Fires That Close Out Obon

During Obon, the spirits of ancestors welcomed home by a "mukaebi" (welcoming fire) are believed to be sent back to the other world by this "okuribi" (send-off fire). Gozan no Okuribi is far more than a tourist spectacle -- it remains a cherished ritual of prayer, deeply rooted in the daily lives of Kyoto's people.

Origins Still Unknown

When the custom of lighting characters drawn on the mountains began is unclear -- some say the Heian period, others the Edo period -- and no definitive record survives. Documents that clearly describe the places and the practice appear only in the Edo period. The lighting schedule was fixed in 1963, starting with "Dai" at 8:00 p.m., and in 2014 it was revised for the first time in 51 years, giving today's five-minute intervals.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Look up viewing spots around Kyoto where you can see Gozan no Okuribi
• Learn about the history of the event and the origin of each mountain's character
• Learn more about the Obon customs of welcoming and send-off fires
• Take a moment to reflect on ancestors and family who are no longer near

Characters of Flame in the Night Sky, Speaking Quietly

The glowing characters that appear on Kyoto's mountainsides are a light of prayer, seen only once a year. On the night of August 16th, take a moment to reflect on distant ancestors as you look toward this breathtaking send-off fire.