Omizutori has started at Todaiji Nigatsu-do in Nara.  In the Kansai region, many people think that spring has finally begun when Omizutori begins.  Omizutori is the main event of Shunie, which is held from March 1st to March 14th.  The official name of Shuni-e is “Jyuichimen-keka” in which we confess the various mistakes we make in our daily lives in front of the eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva, the principal image of worship at Nigatsu-do. At the same time, we also pray for the protection of the nation, the peace and stability of the world, the happiness of all people, and the bountiful harvest.  It was started in 752 by Jicchu, a senior disciple of Ryoben Sojo, the founder of Todaiji Temple. Only the Buddhist memorial service has been handed down uninterruptedly to this day as a “non-regressive practice” for more than 1250 years.  The climax on the 12th is the “Omizutori” event, in which perfume drawn from the Wakasai well on the grounds is offered to the principal image of Nigatsu-do.

奈良東大寺二月堂のお水取りが始まりました。関西ではこのお水取りが始まるといよいよ春が始まったと思う人が多い様です。お水取りは3月1日～3月14日の間行われる修二会(しゅにえ)の本行です。修二会の正式名称は「十一面悔過(じゅういちめんけか)」と言い、われわれが日常に犯しているさまざまな過ちを、二月堂の本尊である十一面観世音菩薩の前で懺悔し、鎮護国家・天下泰安・万民豊楽・五穀豊穣などを祈願します。752年に東大寺の開山・良弁僧正の高弟・実忠（じっちゅう）が始め、東大寺の長い歴史にあって、二度までもその大伽藍の大半が失われてしまった時ですら、修二会だけは「不退の行法」として、1250有余年もの間一度も絶えることなく、連綿と今日に至るまで引き継がれてきています。二月堂の本尊に境内の若狭井（わかさい）から汲み上げたお香水（おこうずい）を供える「お水取り」の12日がクライマックスです。