Bamboo grove (Daianji temple)

Daianji is a Buddhist temple in Nara. It is one of the historical Seven Great Temples.

 

In 8th century, when Nara was the capital of Japan, the area around Daianji was a busy downtown, where merchants and craftsmen lived. Nowadays, the place is a bit off the main tourist attractions of Nara like the temples Todaiji or Yakushiji.

 

Daianji attracts followers with the promise of protection from cancer. Buddhist rites and prayers for the healing are held at the temple and a healing sake is sold.

 

This type of sake—called sasazake (笹酒)—is brewed with the use of bamboo stems and thus has a distinctive bamboo taste.

 

Twice a year, in January and June a special event takes place in Daianji. On these days large number of pilgrims visit the temple to pray for good health, but also to drink sake for free.

 

In winter sake is heated over a fire in bamboo stems and ladies in kimono serve the alcohol to cups made also from bamboo.

 

The event lasts from morning until early afternoon and the atmosphere gets more and more relaxed with the amount of consumed alcohol.

 

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