‘1,200 year old fire’ is suspected of burning down a shrine in Japan

On May 20, the fire department of Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima province said that the Reikado hall of Daishoin temple, famous for preserving the “eternal flame”, had burned down.

The fire broke out at around 8:30 a.m. the same day, burning down the main electricity and spreading to a nearby camp of about 30 square meters. The fire also spread to the neighboring forest on the island before being controlled by the authorities after two hours. The fire did not cause any casualties.

According to information from Daishoin Temple, after the fire, a dignitary moved the eternal flame to another location. The local fire department determined that this fire could be the direct cause of the fire.

Located near the top of Mount Misen, Reikado Hall preserves the “eternal flame”, which is said to have burned for nearly 1,200 years since monk Kukai lit it in 806 to perform a fire prayer ritual (goma).

This symbol was once used as the source of lighting the “Fire of Peace” at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park – a place to commemorate the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing.

Reikado Palace is also a famous destination for couples. Tourists often come here to use candles lit from the eternal flame to vow a love that will never die.

In 2005, Reikado Palace burned down. Investigators at that time determined that the fire was caused by dry wood and other flammable materials inside the electricity. A monk also promptly evacuated and protected the fire.

The Reikado electrical fire continues a series of alarming fires at spiritual facilities in Japan. In just the first half of this year, a series of ancient temples hundreds of years old in Ehime, Yamaguchi, Toyama, Mie and Niigata provinces were burned down, killing at least 6 people.