"Daruma" dolls -- modeled on Bodhidharma, a sixth-century monk who is thought to have established Zen Buddhism -- were burned in a memorial fire service at Maebashi Hachimangu Shrine in the east Japan city of Maebashi during a traditional festival on Jan. 9, 2022. The annual "first market festival," held in the city center, was crowded with people buying Daruma dolls and other items. This year, the festival dating back more than 400 years to the Edo period (1603-1867) was scaled down as a measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections. A ritual of burning old Daruma dolls that have completed their "duty" for the year was held at the shrine. The shrine's head priest Katsunori Miyazawa commented, "This is an event that people pour their hopes into. I'm grateful we could hold it again this year."

       (Japanese original by Hinako Kikuchi, Maebashi Bureau)

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