Goho Zenshindo Shrine ｜ Cultural Properties ｜ Miidera Temple Cultural Property Museum ｜ The Head Temple of the Tendaijimon Buddhist Sect Miidera Temple

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Goho Zenshindo shrine is one of the tutelary shrines of Miidera Temple. The current structure was rebuilt in 1727 and enshrines the Goho Zenshin standing statue, a work of Buddhist art that has been designated as an Important Cultural Property.
The Goho Zenshin is equivalent to the deity Kishimojin, also known as Kariteimo. The Sendango Festival was inaugurated to commemorate the rebuilding of the shrine by Ashikaga Takauji in 1363 and continues to the present day. During the festivities, 1,000 sweet rice dumplings (sendango) are offered up to the 1,000 children of Kishimojin. This offering forms part of a ritual prayer for the safe and easy delivery of babies, and for the safety of children more broadly.
During the festival, an event called “Hojo-e” takes place at Hojo Pond, which is located in front of the shrine. Here parents write their children’s names on the shells of turtles and release them into the pond. This festival has been a symbol of the city of Otsu for over 600 years.

“tutelary shrines”

A shrine built to guard its Buddhist temple.

“Goho Zenshin standing statue”

The calm-looking statue is made of a single cypress wood with a shallow carving method and has less excessive draperies. She is portrayed as a standing goddess wearing Tang-style (Chinese) clothes with a pomegranate in her left hand. Important Cultural Property. Made in the Heian period (the 12th century). Made of wood and painted. A height of 159.1 cm.

“Kishimojin”

A daughter of the Yaksha in Rajgir. She gave birth to a thousand children (also said ten thousand). She abducted and ate other people’s children, so the Buddha hid her most-loved youngest child to make her mend her ways. Since then, she has become a benevolent deity to grant people’s wishes such as having children, safe delivery and good child-raising. She also protects people who remember the teaching of Lotus Sutra. The appearance of the statue is either a heavenly nymph holding a child to her chest and pomegranate in hand or a demon with a furious expression. Also known as Kangimo and Kariteimo.

“Ashikaga Takauji”

Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358) was the first shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate (in office 1338–1358). One kanji character of Emperor Gogaigo’s real name, “Taka”, was given and named himself with that character, Takauji. During the Genko War, Takauji destroyed Rokuhara (the post of the chiefs of the Kamakura Shogunate) and paved the way for the Kenmu Restoration. Later he rebelled against Emperor Godaigo and supported Emperor Komyo. He then became Seii Taishogun (shogun) and founded the Muromachi Shogunate.

“Sendango Festival”

“Hojo Pond”

“Hojo-e”

−: Edo Period
(12th Year of Kyōho Era, 1727)