Eternal Flame

On the Island of Miyajima, where I previously posted a photo of the torii gate standing in the water, we ventured up Mt. Misen where we had a spectacular view of the city and the islands surrounding us. In the interests of saving time, we opted for the cable car that took us most of the way to the top, where of all places, stood several shrines and temples. Some of these shrines are very old and I can’t imagine how difficult it would have been to get the materials for these structures up the mountain without the assistance of the cable car.

One temple in particular, the Reikado Temple (the Temple which Protects Flame), houses a flame that is supposed to have been burning for over 1200 years. This was the flame that was used to light the Flame of Peace in Hiroshima Peace Park.

When we arrived, the flame was housed in a room that was smoky and filled with old Japanese men who sat on benches that lined the walls surrounding the flame. People would use the flame to light candles, which they placed in front of the fire. There is also a giant black cauldron that sits above the flame filled with water. There are plastic cups on the side where one can get a fill of the murky, lukewarm water from inside the pot.

As we were going to the peak, we sat in the temple and drank some of the water, but the flame was mostly just embers. On the way back down, someone had place two logs in the fire, and I was able to get this photo.

My hair had the comforting aroma of campfire smoke for several days afterwards.