There are several stories about the origin and nothing is known for sure. Here we introduce some of them and some records in history. Who started? Two streams of legends: Kobo Daishi and Ashikaga Yoshimasa( 1435~1490).

① Kobo Daishi (774~835) started it at the beginning of Heian period.

1. a) “Yamashiro Shiki Monogatari”, explaining main annual folk events written by Sakauchi Naoyori (years of birth or death unknown) and “Shin Meisho Zue”(published in 1780) written by Akisato Rito (years of birth or death unknown) both say that at the fire of Jodoji Temple at the foot of Daimonji-yama (Nyoigatake), the principal Buddhist image Amida-butsu (Amitabha) came down to the top of the hill and radiated bright light. Kobo Daishi started the lighting of radiation shape to commemorate this miracle.
2. b) When there was a pandemic in Konin period (810~823) Kobo Daishi went up Nyoigatake (Daimonji-yama) , burnt homa sticks and prayed that the emperor be safe.(Daimonji Banashi by Kumagai Naoyasu, late Edo period).
3. c) Kobo Daishi made the fireplaces in the in the shape of 大 on the eastern hill, imitating the Chinese tradition of Jimai in which dancers dance making the shapes of Chinese characters, using fires.(Kyoto-bo Mokushi by Usui Kosaburo 1915).

All of these and others naming Kobo Daishi as the originator are dubious since they were made up after 15 c. without evidences before Edo period.

② Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1435~1490) started around mid-Muromachi period.

1. a) “Hinami Kiji” (1676), explaining annual events of Kyoto, written by Kurokawa Doyu (died in 1691) and topography “Tsuginefu” ( written by Kitamura Kigin 1624~1705, published 1676) say that Osen Keisan of Shokokuji temple wtrote the character 大. Another topography “Sanshu Meisekishi” by Sakauchi Naoyori (published 1711) also mentions Ashikaga Yoshimasa as the starter. It is interesting that Sakauchi Naoyori who took Kobo Daishi theory in “Yamashiro Shiki Monogatari”(1674) changed to Ashikaga Yoshimasa theory after 30 years.
2. b) Kyokutei Bakin(1767~1818) says in his “Haikai Saijiki” (catalog of season specific words used in composing Haiku 1803) that the Bonfire was started in the first year of Entoku (1489) to pray for the repose of Ashikaga Yoshihisa who died young at Magari, Shiga Pref.. Osen Keisan was a Buddhist monk deeply relied on by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, and Ashikaga Yoshihisa was Yoshimasa’s son, which is an additional point to Ashikaga Yoshimasa theory.

Not the originators, but as the designers or the writers of the character 大、people below are supposed:

1. a) Konoe Nobutada (1565~1614) Tourist Guide “Annnaisha” (guides) by Nakagawa Kirin(1662)
2. b) The Abbot of Shoren’in Temple (particular name unknown) (Topography “Rakuyo Meisho-shu” by Yamamoto Taijun 1658)

The oldest statement in history so far found that clearly identified as Daimonji Bonfire is the following statement in the diary of Ozuki Tadatoshi(1600~1663) “Tadatoshi Sukuneki” dated July 16, Keio 2(1649):

“Went up to the gate on the hill, saw the townspeople’s torches. Bonfires of Nishiyama (Left) Daimonji, Fune (boat), Higashiyama (East) Daimonji—all were beautiful. "

Records before this also state “Watched Bonfires on the hills”; Kanemi-kyo ki by Yoshida Kanemi (1539~1610) , Shinto priest of Yoshida Jinja “Keicho Nikkenn-roku” diary of Myogyo Hakase (Confucian classics scholar) Funabashi Hidekata(1575~1614).

These, however, do not clearly prove these fires were Higashiyama Nyoigatake Daimonji. Studies as to when and how these “fires” turned to Bonfires are now under way. (Sakata 2020) Anyway, from all these records it is clear that burning fires on the hills had been done as part of the event to speed the ancestors’ spirits to Jodo, Buddha’s Paradice toward the end of the middle ages. These are the predecessors of the present “Gozan Bonfires”.

 

On the afternoon of August 15 and on the morning of August 16, homa sticks offering by public is accepted at the front gate of Ginkakuji. These homa sticks with prayers for ancestors’ peaceful rest and sound health of the living written in Indian ink are used as part of lighting materials. At 7 p.m. August 16, the votive light is lit at Kobo Daishi-do at the center of the character 大. The priest of Jodoin Temple and members of Hozonkai (Conservation Association) chant Hannya Shingyo. After this, the votive light is transmitted to the main fire; then at the signal all the fires of the fireplaces are lit.

Members:Generation-old, respectable 52 households of the old Jodoji Mura (village) are the members, each responsible for particular fireplace (Murakami 2013).

In the early Edo period they used to knock stakes into the hill to which they tied torches to light the fire (Annnaisha, Guides). The present style of shaping split firewoods in 井 shape was introduced around Kanmon (1661~1673) and Enpo ( 1673~1681) periods. (Sakauchi Naoyori “Miyako Saijiki, introducing annual events, published mid-Edo period). At the beginning they shaped 井 patterns directly on the hill and filled them with pine-needles to make the fireplaces. In Showa 44 (1969) a new way of levelling the hill ground of each fireplace and placing Ohya-ishi, strong, fireproof stone was adopted. The fireplace for the center of the 大 character、called Kanawa, is set up with a very big Ohya-ishi.

Split pinewoods are piled up in 井 shape ( up to 1.3 meters high) and filled with pine-needles which are surrounded by straws. 600 bundles of split pinewoods, 100 bundles of pine-needles and 100 bundles of straws are used.

Q: Are Nyoigatake and Daimonji-yama the same? If it’s one, which is correct?

A: Daimonji-yama (466 meters) is the name of one hill of Nyoigatake (474 meters), which is part of the Higashiyama range; so both names are correct. The fireplaces are placed on their hillsides around 300~350 meters high. To distinguish from Hidari (Left) Daimonji,, calling the hill Nyoigatake seems more popular.

Q: Can we go up Nyoigatake (Daimonji-yama) on the day of Bonfire?

A: Basically climbing the hill is not allowed that day.

Q: How can we offer the homa sticks?

A: They are accepted as follows:
August 15 noon~around 7 p.m.
August 16 6 a.m.~2 p.m.           till they are sold out.