Naritasan Shinshoji Temple of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism in Chiba Prefecture is one of the representative temples that enshrines Fudo Myo-o, who is loved by the name of "O-Fudo-sama." Speaking of Kabuki's Danjuro Ichikawa, it may be easy to understand. The branch temple is "Daihonzan Naritasan Nagoya Betsuin Daishoji'' in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture, commonly known as "Inuyama Naritasan''.

The view from the temple, which is built on a hill, is wonderful, and in fact Naritasan is the origin of prayers for traffic safety. It is a spot where you can feel free to stop by while driving and feel familiar with the Fudo-sama.

Naritasan and Fudo Myoo

*Photo is an image

What kind of existence is the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, the head temple, and Fudo Myo-o, the principal image of Inuyama Naritasan, here in the Betsuin Temple?

Fudo Myo-o is said to be the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai's wrath, which is said to possess all virtues.

It originally represented the dark skinned slaves of the Dravidian tribe in South India, and the clothes it wears are also the clothes of slaves, representing their figure of a pledge to serve and respond to the wishes of the people, even though they are in the lowest strata.

It is said that the sword in the right hand cuts off people's troubles, the rope in the left hand saves those who are suffering, and the flame burns away people's worldly desires, and is said to represent the wisdom that make the soul that is inherent in people shine. 

So what kind of connection is there between Naritasan and Fudo Myoo?

The origin goes back to the "Masakado Rebellion" in the Heian period.

A monk called Kancho Daisojo, who was ordered by the imperial court to avenge Taira no Masakado, who was rebelling in Chiba at the time, brought the statue of Fudo Myoo enshrined at Takaosan Jingoji Temple in Kyoto. Then head to Chiba from Osaka. Kancho Daisojo, who landed in Chiba, held a 21-day Goma prayer, and on that day, Taira no Masakado's rebellion ended.

After the turmoil ended, when he tried to bring the Buddha statue back to Kyoto, it was too heavy to move, so it was opened at the current location. That is how Shinshoji Temple began.

One of the reasons why the name of Narita-san spread throughout Japan was that Danjuro Ichikawa I, who was a devout believer in the faith, made the title of Fudo Myoo popular in the Kabuki plays of the time.

Due to the popularity of the Narita Pilgrimage, people from the Chubu region used to travel all the way to Chiba in person. In response to requests from the local people, the temple was built in 1953 as a branch temple of Inuyama Naritasan. Today, it is one of the most important places of worship of Fudo Myoo-son in the Tokai region.

First, visit the main hall

Let's start with the visit. If you come by car or bus, go up the stairs from the Myoomon gate (pictured) at the bottom parking lot. If you have trouble walking, there is a parking lot near the main hall, so please drive up there and use it.

Climb the stairs and pass through the vivid vermillion Myoomon gate...

Go up one level to another large parking lot. This is also a place where you can receive prayers for cars. If you want to save even a little bit of stairs, it seems good to park in this parking lot.

And if you go straight through the Myoomon Gate, you will come to this staircase. The main hall is located at the end of this climb, so let's climb slowly.

If the stairs are tough, there is a slope on the left side, so you can go halfway up the stairs from here.

At the confluence of stairs and slopes, there are benches where you can take a break. From here there are only stairs. Let's do our best!

Once you reach the top, you will be greeted by the main hall in front of you.

After lighting incense and placing it in the incense burner, visit the main hall.

Since it is a temple, please bow and pray. At that time, let's recite the mantra of Fudo Myoo.

<Fudo Myoo Mantra>

Nomakusan Mander
Bazara Dancendar
Markaro Shadar
Sowataya Untara
Kanman

Prayer by "Ogoma" five times a day

At Naritasan, prayers are offered in the "Ogoma" ceremony, a unique esoteric Buddhist ritual handed down by Kukai. Prayers are offered five times a day from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every two hours.

* Ogoma: An old Indian word meaning "to burn"

Prayer requests, amulets, goshuin, etc. are handled at the general reception on the right side of the main hall.

If you want to ask for a full-fledged prayer, there are various types of prayers. If you fill it out here and give it to the receptionist, you can enter the main hall together at the designated time and receive a prayer.

For those who wish to pray easily, we recommend this "gomagi" located outside the general reception area! (You cannot enter the main hall.)

There are two types of Gomagi, large 500 yen and small 300 yen.

Since I was so curious, I also prayed! Fill in what you want to pray for with the pen provided and bring it to the reception desk.

It seems that you are free to write whatever you wish on the gomagi. After making an application at the reception desk, they will do the rest of the burning.

Surprisingly, it is not well known that Naritasan was the first place to pray for traffic safety during the Taisho era. Yes, it is the originator of car exorcism. Speaking of the Taisho era, there were few people who owned cars, but the spirit of exorcising cars is unique to Japan. Since that time, many people have come to pray for traffic safety.

"Migawari Mamori" that saved many lives

Of the amulets, the most noteworthy is the "Migawari Mamori（Substitute amulet)," which has been popular since the Edo period.

In the Edo period, a man named Tatsugoro, who was working as a carpenter on top of a 17-meter-high gate, accidentally tripped and fell. A frantic carpenter rushed over, but there was not a single scratch, and the amulet of Naritasan that he was wearing at that time was apparently broken in two.

Also during wartime, many mothers often had their sons carry one in order to pray for their safety. In fact, the former mayor of Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture, was said to have been safe when he was a small child because his mother had given him a "Migawari Mamori" when he was on his way to war. It would be a nice gift to give not only to yourself but also to your loved ones.

In addition, there are also charms of characters such as Hello Kitty and Thomas.

This is a 1,000 yen goshuin limited to the 2022 Zodiac New Year. *Ends as soon as stock runs out

Enjoy the elegant garden and matcha tea
"Jakusuian"

If you go to the back left from the main hall, you will find “Jakusuian”. It is a tea room that was relocated and restored in 1968 from the manners room of Inuyama High School.

A neatly cared courtyard.

Once inside, you will find a wide Japanese-style room with tatami mats, a garden, and a view of the Gifu cityscape across the Kiso River.

A tea room that imitates the Zangetsu-seki, which is said to have been in Sen no Rikyu's Juraku mansion.

It is also recommended to spend a relaxing time while having tea.

<Tea room by Jakusuian>
Hours of use 9:00-15:00

Introduction of other precincts

Here are 36 children who are the followers of Fudo Myoo (kenzoku* messengers of gods and Buddhas). Each one has a different facial expression and feels familiar.

This Daibutsu (Great Buddha) was built privately by a person who lost his son during the war.

Shusse Inari Shrine is a small shrine, but it is a relaxing space.

The Higashinomiya Tumulus is located up a small hill from the temple. Magatama, a mirror, and a sword, which are said to be three kinds of sacred treasures, have been unearthed here. One theory is that this may be Kunakoku (狗奴国), which was hostile to Himiko's Yamataikoku (邪馬台国) mentioned in the Biography of Gishi Wajinden (魏志倭人伝) ....... For history buffs, this is a spot not to be missed.

The view from the top of the stairs is very pleasant, and if the weather is fine, you can see Inuyama Castle and the streets of Gifu across the Kiso River.

If you have time, about 10 minutes by car from here, there is also Naritasan Teishoji Temple, which is said to have been built by Sadayakko Kawakami, who is said to be Japan's first actress. Ms. Sadayakko was one of the people who had a deep faith in Mt. Narita. If you are interested, please visit them.