Dōjō-ji (Dōjō-ji Temple) : PhotoStory

A Shirabyōshi dancer enters the forbidden area where the bell ceremony is held.

Evening approaches at Dōjō-ji Temple. Wearing a headdress, the figure dances.

Flowers are scattered as the bell rings out at sunset. The woman steps firmly with the beat.

With a single step, the spring day becomes night, and the people fall asleep.

It was the opportunity the woman was waiting for. The hateful bell had been the hiding place of the mountain priest she loved. Vividly remembering her bitterness, she moves toward the inside the bell.

The figure vanishes.

The power of the Buddha is served. The bell is lifted again to calm the feelings of the woman inside. The monks start praying, the power of their voices and hearts as one.

When the bell is raised, the woman has taken the form of a serpent. Her terrible feelings are so extreme that the bell will burn up a man.

The poisonous snake faces the prayers of the monks for its inevitable death.

It is more ferocious then ever.

The voice of the prayer calls the Dragon King. Even the fearsome serpent is then forced down to pray.