The Kawa Segaki ceremony held amid strong winds. (©Sankei by Mika Sugiura)
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On August 26, Shorenji Temple in Osaka's Konohana Ward held its annual Buddhist ritual "Kawa Segaki." Food and drink are offered to gaki — spirits suffering from hunger and thirst in the river — and prayers are made for the souls of the deceased.
A Tradition Through the Centuries
Founded in 1625, Shorenji Temple began this ritual under its seventh chief priest, Nikkai Shonin, in 1721. During the ceremony, participants board a boat. After performing the gaki ritual, they float kyogi, thin wooden tablets inscribed with the names of the deceased, along with offerings down the river. The ritual is recognized as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Osaka City and is held every year on August 26.
In 2025, after a special service at the temple, participants walked to the riverside while chanting sutras. A portable shrine was placed on a boat and carried out onto the lower reaches of the Yodo River.
Normally, citizens and devotees would join in multiple boats to form a flotilla. However, due to strong winds, only a single boat set out.
Praying for Peace
Chief Priest Masamichi Okumura said, "This ritual comforts the spirits of those lost in water accidents and wartime deaths, while also praying for world peace." He added, "Despite the scorching heat, about 200 devotees and local citizens participated. With Expo 2025 happening nearby, we also hoped visitors from overseas could witness it."
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Author: Mika Sugiura
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