Photo= Through the heavy rain, the character "Daimonji" on Mt. Nyoigatake faintly appears (August 16, eastward view from near Demachi-bashi, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto)

"Gozan no Okuribi," a traditional event to send off the spirits of ancestors who were welcomed during the O-bon period, was held on certain mountains of Kyoto City on the night of August 16. Due to heavy rain, the flame of the Chinese character "Dai" on Mt. Nyoigatake in Sakyo Ward, was weak, so it was difficult to see the letter. Other characters, including "Myoho" and "Funagata," glimmered against the dark, rainy night.

A heavy rain and flood warning was issued on the evening of this day in Kyoto City. At 8:00 p.m., the character "Daimonji" on Mt. Nyoigatake was lit up as scheduled, but it was difficult to see the shape "Dai" due to the torrential rain.

Although many people gathered to view the character "Daimonji" on Demachi-bashi Nishizume in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, a disappointed mood spread as the flames could be seen only for a few seconds through a rift in the clouds. A company employee visiting from Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, said, "I have been to Kyoto many times, but I haven't seen the Okuribi bonfire yet, so I really wanted to see it. I am very disappointed."

In contrast, those following after "Daimonji," "Myoho" in Sakyo Ward, "Funagata" and "Hidari-Daimonji" both in Kita Ward, and "Toriigata" in Ukyo Ward, whose characters and shapes were colored by the flames, created an atmosphere of solemn magnificence.

According to the Kyoto Prefecture Police announcement, there was a turnout of approximately 30,000 people this year, which was about 30,000 less than last year.

According to records of torrential rains in the past, the event was postponed due to rain in 1963 and the "Daimonji" was lit up on the following day, August 17.