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Shingon monks pray around a burning pyre during the Miyajima Fire Walking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in Temple on the Island of Miyajima, April 15, 2013. The Monks perform the procession to pray for good fortune for all people, crops and to fulfill the worshipper’s wishes. - Shingon monks pray around a burning pyre during the Miyajima Fire Walking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in Temple on the Island of Miyajima, April 15, 2013. The Monks perform the procession to pray for good fortune for all people, crops and to fulfill the worshipper’s wishes.

Buddhist monks perform part of a ritual for theHiwatari Shinji, or firewalking ceremony, whichtook place inside the Daisho-in, a historicalJapanese temple, on Miyajima Nov. 15, 2012. After the haze clears, the monks then pass out sticks of wood with prayers written by those attending inscribed on them. Handfuls of prayer sticks are thrown into the blaze, releasing the wishes of the pilgrims and granting good luck. - Buddhist monks perform part of a ritual for the Hiwatari Shinji, or firewalking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in, a historical Japanese temple, on Miyajima Nov. 15, 2012. After the haze clears, the monks then pass out sticks of wood with prayers written by those attending inscribed on them. Handfuls of prayer sticks are thrown into the blaze, releasing the wishes of the pilgrims and granting good luck.

A torii gate rests steadfast in the sea off the coast of Itsukushima, Nov. 4, 2012. In days gone by, pilgrims and those wanting to approach the shrine had to steer their vessels through the torii gate. - A torii gate rests steadfast in the sea off the coast of Itsukushima, Nov. 4, 2012. In days gone by, pilgrims and those wanting to approach the shrine had to steer their vessels through the torii gate.