Fire Buckets
As we walked around Kyoto we saw these buckets everywhere. They were on sidewalks, outside of temples, everywhere they were standing at the ready. But, at first, we had no idea what they were and why they were there.
It only took us a moment to stop and read the kanji printed on each bucket. We were unable to read every kanji on the buckets, but we were able to read the one, exceedingly important, character.
Fire!
These are fire buckets. Filled with rain water, ready to be used in case flames burst out. Now, I understand the need for precautions around the old temples of Kyoto, many of which have burned down several times in their history. But really, are these small buckets filled with water really going to make a substantial difference? I wonder…