In Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, the first week of the new year culminates in Oniyo: the night of the oni, or demon. Six giant torches, measuring 13 meters and weighing 1.2 tons, are moved around a shrine precinct. They create a shadow in which the oni can emerge. One torch is taken to the river, where the oni conducts a ritual that cleanses people of their troubles. This matsuri also recounts a 1,600-year-old story about a local hero defeating an outlaw—who goes on to become the oni.
Bright flames draw the eyes of the crowd.
But lurking in the shadows is a demon, an "oni."
This is the night of the oni: Oniyo.
The event takes place in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture - at Daizenji Tamatare-gu Shrine.
In a week-long ritual that begins on New Year's Eve, people pray for a bountiful harvest and good fortune.
Oniyo takes place on the final night.
It's the coldest time of year.
On January 7th, six giant torches are lit as a prayer for a year free of anxiety.
At 8PM, the "water-scooping" begins.
Around 20 participants, almost naked, walk to the river below the shrine.
There, they will perform a purification ritual.
River water is scooped up into a bucket, and dedicated to the deities.
In the shrine precinct, six huge torches wait to be lit.
All other sources of light are switched off, plunging the grounds into darkness.
A bell marks the start of the climactic event.
A flame is brought out from the shrine.
This is the demon's fire - lit with flint on New Year's Eve and kept alight for seven days.
It's brought slowly to the area where the torches await.
As spectators look on, the flame is used to light one of the torches.
This is a cue for all of the torches to be lit.
The flames illuminate the precinct, which just moments ago was shrouded in darkness.
To increase the intensity of the flames, bindings are removed.
The heat makes it a difficult job.
The fire is said to bring good health.
Spectators and participants bathe in the sparks, and pray for a good year ahead.
On a stage in front of the torches, a ritual is enacted.
This links to the origin of the festival.
1,600 years ago, a local hero is said to have defeated an outsider who led an armed group that was terrorizing the community.
Removing these stylized spears represents an end to the terror and the return of peace.
Removing the mask signifies the capture of the outlaw leader.
And this drawing of swords symbolizes the decisive victory.
In death, the outlaw leader was transformed into the protective oni who features in the festival.
Drums are beaten and a bell is struck.
It's time for the highlight of the evening: the moving of the torches.
There are no second chances.
They get one go to move the torches.
Communication is key.
I hope people enjoy seeing it!
The torches each measure 13 meters, and weigh 1.2 tons.
Six teams of 30 to 40 people lift them with forked sticks, and move them across the precinct.
They navigate the packed crowd.
One wrong move could have serious consequences.
This tense and stressful work takes an hour.
But all six torches are moved safely into position.
The torches are on the west side of the shrine.
This creates a large area of darkness on the east side - where the main character in the festival, the oni, is now free to move.
The bright sacred torches in the west create a special darkness in the east that empowers the oni to move out into the world of humans.
The oni circles the Demon Hall seven-and-a-half times in near-total darkness.
The oni is not supposed to be seen by outsiders.
So parishioners - adults and children - surround the oni to shield it from prying eyes.
Once the circling of the hall is complete, one torch is moved to the hall's east side.
In the darkness beyond the reach of that torch, the oni and its protectors advance.
This torch will be taken out of the shrine, and eventually to the river.
The flames purify the path, and help the oni move towards the water.
In this community, it is believed that the oni has divine powers.
It accepts the burden of everyone's worries and troubles, then washes them away in the river.
Local people are grateful for the actions of this entity, even if it is a demon.
The torch used to guide the oni approaches a large gate.
A flaming torch - and a wooden structure.
The torch must pass through quickly, making no contact.
As the flames move forward, they purify the places where the oni will move.
The guiding torch has done its job, and so now, at the side of the river, it is extinguished.
The oni can then conduct its own purification ritual, under cover of darkness.
After that, it returns to the shrine.
The remaining torches are extinguished, and Oniyo comes to an end.
It's a ceremony of fire and shadow, brought to life by over 400 enthusiastic local participants.