Hōshaku-ji Temple

　Hōshaku-ji Temple is situated just to the west of the Ōyamazaki Mountain Villa Art Museum. It is said to have been founded by Gyōki, who played a pivotal role in the construction of the Great Buddha of Nara in the first half of the 8th century. It is said that a dragon deity appeared in a dream to Emperor Shōmu—who had ordered the construction of the Great Buddha—and bestowed upon him a hammer and a small mallet; after offering prayers, he was able to ascend to the throne.

　The temple grounds house many treasures, including the principal image of the Eleven-Faced Kannon Bodhisattva, a three-storey pagoda and a seated statue of King Yama (a Designated Important Cultural Property); for this reason, it is also known as temple of treasures.

　However, what has made this temple most widely known is the ‘Oni Sukube’—a unique festival with a history spanning over 1,200 years. It is a ritual to ward off misfortune, in which 75 rice cakes are hung from the lintel of the main hall, cypress leaves are burned to fill the air with smoke, and demons are driven away with arrows. Participants are welcome to dress up as demons or the Seven Lucky Gods; next year’s event will take place on 18 April. If you are interested, please do get in touch.