Shorenji Temple Prays for Good Weather with 3,000 Paper Dolls

Shorenji Temple in Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, is renowned for praying for clear weather. The temple receives handmade teru teru bozu (dolls made from tissue or cloth) from across the country. It hangs these dolls under the eaves and inside the main hall, invoking blessings for sunny weather.

Established during the Heian period, Shorenji has a historical connection with the Japanese Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi). It is said that while journeying to Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, Kukai stopped at Shorenji. Here, he fervently prayed for clear skies.

Approximately 3,000 teru teru bozu adorn the temple grounds. Each doll is uniquely crafted to resemble cats, kappa, and other characters. They also bear inscriptions of wishes for world peace and health, among other things.

"We hang teru teru bozu in hopes of warding off disasters," explained head priest Kiminori Takahata (47). Shorenji is accepting submissions until July 24, and the display will run until October 24.

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: The Sankei Shimbun