HATSU-MOHDE (New Year prayer pilgrimages)

In Japan, the tradition is for people to visit temples or shrines to offer prayers for good health and prosperity for the year. In this region where it is so warm that rape-seed blossoms bloom even during the winter, there is more vitality than would be seen at other similar places of worship during the winter.

TOHRO-NAGASHI (Event in which traditional Japanese lanterns are cast afloat on the sea)

On the 10th of August every year, several thousand lanterns made with paper pasted onto bamboo or wood frames are cast afloat on the sea together with prayers that the spirits of the dead will repose in peace. At night, the skies are filled with colouful firework displays.

OESHIKI (Memorial Day Service for Our Founder)

This is a mass service in which memories of the late Holy Priest Nichiren are recalled, and thanks are expressed for the Holy Priest having spread the teachings of the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma (Lotus Sutra). This Sutra is one of the Sutras that Sakyamuni Buddha, or the Sage of the Sakya Clan, preached.

SHICHI-GO-SAN MOHDE (7-5-3 Festival pilgrimage)

This is an event in which children of seven, five and three years of age visit the Temple accompanied by their parents and family members, to express thanks for their having attained their respective ages, and to pray that they will enjoy good health in the future. The precincts of the temple are thronged with many children dressed up in colorful attire.

SETSUBUN-E

(Day before calendrical beginning of spring, when bean-throwing ceremony takes place) Event in which people cast beans to drive out evil.

OTANJOH-E (Service commemorating the birth of the Holy Priest Nichiren)

On the 16th of February each year, a memorial mass service commemorating the birth of the Holy Priest Nichiren is held in the DAISOSHI-DOH (Hall dedicated to memory of the Holy Priest Nichiren). A statue of the Holy Priest Nichiren is placed in a portable shrine, carried on the shoulders of a large number of the faithful, and the portable shrine is paraded through the streets of the town.

SENBU DOKUJU-E (1,000 Recitations Service)

A mass service is held in Daisoshi-doh. The entire town celebrates the birthday of the Holy Priest Nichiren, with a portable shrine carrying a statue of the Holy Priest as a child being paraded through the streets.

SHUHSO NATSU OKOROMO KIGAE-SHIKI
(Ceremony of the changing of the trappings of the Founder of the Sect)

This is a ceremony in which the trappings of the statue of the Holy Priest Nichiren are changed to summer wear.

URABON SEGAKI-E (`Hungry-Spirits-Feeding' Bon Festival mass service)

An event in which prayers are offered so that the spirits of the dead will respose in peace.

SHUHSO FUYU OKOROMO KIGAE-SHIKI
(Winter ceremony of the changing of the trappings of the Founder of the Sect)

This is a ceremony in which the trappings of the statue of the Holy Priest Nichiren, are changed to winter wear.

STAR FESTIVAL PRAYER SERVICE

People express thanks and offer prayers to their respective constellations.

OKAICHO (Unveiling of the image of the Holy Priest)

A statue of the Holy Priest Nichiren reposes in the inner sacred shrine at the centre of the SOSHI-DO. OKAICHO is a ceremony in which the doors and screens surrounding this sacred shrine are opened for people to commune with the statue of the Holy Priest.

 

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INFORMATION ON SPECIAL TOURS

Following the communion with the Holy Priest Nichiren, it is possible to have a special guided tour of each of the structures and facilities. (Time required for guided tour is approximately 40 minutes; commentary in Japanese only.)

 

■HATSUMOHDE	1st-7th January
■SETSUBUN-E	3rd February
■OTANJOH-E	16th February
■SENBU DOKUJU-E	16th April
■SHUHSO NATSU OKOROMOKIGAE-SHIKI	5th June
■TOHROH-NAGASHI	10th August
■URABON SEGAKI-E	19th August
■SHUHSO FUYU OKOROMO KIGAE-SHIKI	5th October
■OESHIKI(7-5-3 Festival pilgrimage)	12th November
■STAR FESTIVAL PRAYER SERVICE	TOHJI - 3rd Feb.