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selvin · Sep 23, 2009, 5:53 AM

This is an archival entry.
Here you see two shots of the Japanese Lantern Floating Ceremony called the "Toro Nagashi". The candle lit lanterns are floated out to the ocean traditionally down rivers to guide the souls of departed spirits to the sea.

Prayers and goodwill offerings are usually written on the lanterns which are positioned on small rafts to allow them to float more efficiently.

With the concern for the environment, the lanterns are now collected before they reach the open sea and can damage the ocean environment.

Calicajun · Sep 23, 2009, 12:32 PM

Very nice ceremony, would be something to see in person. Like the way the lanterns just float off into the distance.

vsch1 · Sep 23, 2009, 3:00 PM

Beautiful, and such a lovely ceremony.

Hards80 · Sep 23, 2009, 3:35 PM

yea, it is a lovely ceremony. nice!

calr · Sep 25, 2009, 4:25 PM

Great shots, Selvin. I would love to see that. Is it an annual event?

Cal

selvin · Sep 25, 2009, 11:58 PM

Calicajun, vsch1, and hards80, Calr,
Thanks.

The event is an annual ceremony coordinated with Memorial day events. Takes place at the Ala Moana Beach park. As you can imagine, the crowds have grown to be enormous although this year the number of japanese participants seemed to have decreased. Perhaps it is a reflection of the worldwide recession.

Because you can end up being far away from the hula dancing, the Taiko drumming and the religious chants they are also shown on very large screen TVs.

To get shots like you see here you end up wading thru the ocean in the midst of the throngs of people.

It is in addition to the "ooohhhh and ahhh" effect it is an uplifting experience even if you don't buy into the whole idea of departed souls floating out to the sea via the lanterns.

Aloha and mahalo

Sep 23, 2009, 5:53 AM	#1
selvin Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 7,204	Fire: Toro Nagashi or candlelight lantern floating ceremony This is an archival entry. Here you see two shots of the Japanese Lantern Floating Ceremony called the "Toro Nagashi". The candle lit lanterns are floated out to the ocean traditionally down rivers to guide the souls of departed spirits to the sea. Prayers and goodwill offerings are usually written on the lanterns which are positioned on small rafts to allow them to float more efficiently. With the concern for the environment, the lanterns are now collected before they reach the open sea and can damage the ocean environment.

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Sep 23, 2009, 12:32 PM	#2
Calicajun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Quartz Hill, CA Posts: 3,455	Very nice ceremony, would be something to see in person. Like the way the lanterns just float off into the distance.

Sep 23, 2009, 3:00 PM	#3
vsch1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,885	Beautiful, and such a lovely ceremony.

Sep 23, 2009, 3:35 PM	#4
Hards80 Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 9,046	yea, it is a lovely ceremony. nice!

Sep 25, 2009, 4:25 PM	#5
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	Great shots, Selvin. I would love to see that. Is it an annual event? Cal

Sep 25, 2009, 11:58 PM	#6
selvin Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 7,204	Calicajun, vsch1, and hards80, Calr, Thanks. The event is an annual ceremony coordinated with Memorial day events. Takes place at the Ala Moana Beach park. As you can imagine, the crowds have grown to be enormous although this year the number of japanese participants seemed to have decreased. Perhaps it is a reflection of the worldwide recession. Because you can end up being far away from the hula dancing, the Taiko drumming and the religious chants they are also shown on very large screen TVs. To get shots like you see here you end up wading thru the ocean in the midst of the throngs of people. It is in addition to the "ooohhhh and ahhh" effect it is an uplifting experience even if you don't buy into the whole idea of departed souls floating out to the sea via the lanterns. Aloha and mahalo