A Journey through Johana Betsuin Zentokuji Temple's "Mushiboshi Hoe" Ritual and Dotoku in Toyama（2023.7.22〜23）
Overview
Johana Betsuin Zentokuji Temple, a renowned temple with a history of about 550 years, has a collection of around 10,000 treasures. Each year during the "Mushiboshi Hoe" ritual, about 500 of these treasures are carefully exhibited within the temple. Visitors have the chance to closely admire these precious treasures, which include items linked to feudal lords like the Maeda family and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, as well as artworks and Buddhist artifacts.
The woodblock artist Shiko Munakata lived in Toyama for almost seven years due to evacuation during the war. This led the founder of the Mingei movement, Soetsu Yanagi, to visit Toyama multiple times. Inspired by the people's harmonious coexistence with the challenging yet abundant nature, Yanagi remarked that Toyama embodied the "virtue of the land." Motivated by this concept, he wrote the influential essay "The Dharma Gate of Beauty” considered the culmination of Mingei philosophy, at Zentokuji Temple. During the Mushiboshi Hoe ritual, numerous Mingei-related items will be displayed in the room where Yanagi stayed, providing a glimpse into that time period.
During this tour, you will explore Toyama's Dotoku by focusing on the "Mushiboshi Hoe" ritual.
On the first day, you will visit "Kotokuji Temple," where Munakata first sought refuge and also serves as a Mingei museum, showcasing folk crafts from around the world. There, you will have the opportunity to listen to Hiroshi Ota, a member of the Japan Folk Crafts Association and a Buddhist monk, speak about "Dotoku and Mingei in Toyama."
On the second day, you will visit Matsui Kigyo, the last remaining silk weaving workshop in Toyama, to experience the essence of Dotoku firsthand. After enjoying the famous local dish "Sabazushi" for lunch, you will have a guided observation of the "Mushiboshi Hoe" ritual at Zentokuji Temple, accompanied by explanations from a monk.
You have the option to join the tour for a single day, or we also have a package available that includes accommodation at Rakuto-An.
- Duration：
- 1 day or 1 night 2 days
- Meeting and Dismissal：
- On-site
- Capacity：
- 15 participants (minimum number required for operation: 5)
- Price：
- Both days: 14,500 yen per person, Day 1 only: 6,000 yen per person, Day 2 only: 8,500 yen per person
- Accommodation package price at Rakuto-An：
- Double occupancy: Paper or Silk Room: 57,000 yen per person, Soil Room: 67,000 yen per person / Single occupancy: Paper or Silk Room: 69,000 yen per person, Soil Room: 83,000 yen per person
- Reservation Deadline：
- July 19th
DAY 1 7月22日（土）
Chokuhizan Kotokuji Temple is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple with a history of over 500 years, founded in the year 1471. It houses original writings and treasures of Rennyo Shonin, the founder of the sect. The temple is also renowned for its collection and exhibition of numerous masterpieces, attributed to its close relationship with Munakata Shiko. One of the remarkable works is the bold and magnificent fusuma painting titled "Kegon Matsu," which Munakata Shiko suddenly captured in intense inspiration while taking a stroll in the temple's nearby mountains. This painting can only be seen at this temple. Additionally, the temple exhibits a vast collection of folk crafts from around the world, acquired by successive chief priests.
Born in Toyama Prefecture in 1955. He is the chief priest of Jodo Shinshu Otani-ha Daifukuji Temple, a standing board member of the Japan Folk Crafts Association, and the president of the Tonami Folk Crafts Association. He graduated from the Faculty of Literature at Otani University. Since 2007, he has served as a standing board member of the Japan Folk Crafts Association. He is actively involved in promoting the importance of education that values the local culture and teachings, with "Dotoku" as his motto.
DAY 2 7月23日（日）
The silk weaving industry in Johana began when Johana Betsuin Zentokuji Temple relocated to the area during the late Sengoku period, in the Tensho era. "Shike-ginu," a type of silk fabric, was created using raw silk produced in Gokayama as the vertical threads and "tamamayu" (silk obtained from a single cocoon created by two silkworms) made in Fukumitsu as the horizontal threads. During the Edo period, it was known as "Kaga-kinu" and enjoyed the support of the Kaga domain, becoming prosperous. Matsui Kigyo is the only company in Toyama Prefecture that currently weaves this "Shike-ginu." Noriko Matsui, the 6th generation of the Matsui family, has launched a brand that suggests new ways to use this fabric and offers items suitable for special occasions.
Founded by the 8th Head Priest Rennyo of Honganji, it is currently a branch temple of Higashi Honganji (Jodo Shinshu Otani-ha). It possesses approximately 10,000 treasures, including the "Yuishinsho," a handwritten text by the founder of Jodo Shinshu, Shinran Shonin, and treasures received from the Maeda family of the Kaga domain. During the annual Mushiboshi Hōe, held for about a week starting from July 22nd, some of these treasures are made available for public viewing. It is also known that the Mingei movement advocate Soetsu Yanagi stayed at this temple in the summer of 1948 and completed the writing of "The Dharma Gate of Beauty."
Apply or contact.
Custom made tours are available.