The illumination of the Zenkoji temple in Nagano began on Thursday. Worshipers stopped and stared in awe at the main hall and Sanmon temple gate as they shone under lights of many beautiful colors, such as a warm and inviting red, a bright and cheerful yellow and a vivid green. This year's event will be held through Tuesday.
The illumination has been held every year since 2004. This year, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, images of the athletes are being shown in a laser display on the Sanmon gate.
In an effort to become a beacon of hope to the victims of last autumn's Typhoon No. 19, the main hall is being illuminated in a shimmering gold.
Motoko Ishii, 81, the world-famous lighting designer in charge, explains, "Gold is the color people have come to respect. I hope people who have suffered from the disaster will be able to recover soon."
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