sangimi no yado

Ofusa Kannon, a temple of flowers and healing loved by people.

Ofusa Kannon is a temple located in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, a neighbor of Asuka Village.
Ofusa Kannon has been loved by the people of this area since the Edo period, and in recent years it has begun to grow flowers to ease the minds of visitors.
Today, in early summer and fall, the grounds are filled with the colorful blooms of 1,500 varieties of roses, including English roses.
And in July and August, the height of summer, the “Wind Bell Festival” is held.
In this issue, we will focus on the “Furin (Japanese wind chime) Festival,” a summer tradition in Yamato.

What is Ofusa Kannon, a temple that is close to people?

The origin of Ofusa Kannon began with an encounter between a certain woman and Kannon.

• 
• The area where the main hall of Ofusa Kannon is located was once a large pond called Koigafuchi.
  In 1650, a nearby resident named “Ofusa” was walking along the side of Koigafuchi when Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) appeared on the back of a white turtle.
  Ofusa decided to build a small hall by the pond and enshrine Kannon there.
  The Kannon is said to grant people’s various wishes, and as the villagers in the neighborhood came to have strong faith in her, she naturally came to be called “Ofusa Kannon” by everyone.

The “popular belief” that continues from the past to the present and into the future.

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• In the Meiji period (1868-1912), plans were made by city residents to build a large main hall for Kannon.
  At this time, many people worked together to collect donations, and the present main hall was built.
  Furthermore, you will be introduced to a monk from Koyasan. From this connection, Ofusa Kannon developed into a separate head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect, and the temple’s official name became “Kannon-ji Temple.
  Ofusa Kannon is a “temple of popular belief” that has been created by the hands of the common people in this way.
  The temple continues to be loved as a healing temple for daily problems and suffering.

The story of the familiarity between Japanese people and Furin.

Why do we feel “coolness” in this tone?

• 
• When you hear the sound of Furin, don’t you feel cool as if your body and mind are blown by a cool breeze?
  In fact, data show that the surface temperature of the skin of people who hear the sound of Furin decreases by about 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.
  However, this is a phenomenon peculiar to Japanese people, as their brains perceive that the wind is blowing when Furin rings.
  In addition to their sound, Furin made of glass, which has become the standard today, look very cool.
  The sound of Furin coming from somewhere on a hot day can be said to be a true summer tradition in Japan.

The sound of Furin has the power to repel demons and evil.

• Furin were first created in China about 2,000 years ago. Originally a tool for divining good or bad fortune by the direction of the wind and sound, it came to Japan with the arrival of Buddhism.
  At that time, they were called “Futaku” were made of bronze, and were hung at the four corners of temples.
  At Asuka-dera Temple, one of the oldest Fu-taku in Japan has actually been discovered, which was hung during the period of Asuka-dera Temple’s foundation around the 8th century.
  It was said that the sound of the Futaku had the effect of warding off bad luck, and that no disaster would occur within the range where this sound could be heard.
  It eventually became popular among aristocrats in the Heian and Kamakura periods, and Futaku were hung from the eaves of houses as a symbol of power and protection against evil.
• 

Furin has been a part of Japanese people’s lives for more than 1,000 years.

• 
• Glass Furin were first made in the mid-Edo period.
  Glass was imported to Japan through the Nanban trade, and its manufacturing process was introduced from Nagasaki to Osaka and then to Edo.
  Today, glass Furin are usually decorated with pictures of fireworks, dragonflies, morning glories, and goldfish, but in those days Furin were painted red, which was believed to ward off evil spirits.
  Today, Furin has changed to the purpose of keeping cool by its tone, but people continue to love Furin for its various materials, appearance, and tone.

Furin Festival to experience Japanese summer with all five senses.

Summer is in full swing! Let’s cool off with all your senses.

• Ofusa Kannon will hold a Furin Festival during the summer season from July 1 to August 31.
  More than 2,500 Furin (wind chimes) from all over Japan are displayed on the temple grounds, creating a cool and elegant sound.
  The Furin Festival, which began in 2003 as a summer tradition in Yamato, is held to drive away evil spirits with the sound of many Furin, and to help visitors feel healed in body and soul.
• 

• 
• In front of the shrine office in the main hall, there is a Furin sale featuring a collection of rare Furin from all over Japan.
  Many unusual Furin such as Nara Furin (Nara), Odawara Furin (Kanagawa), and Nanbu Furin (Iwate) are available.
  You can find your favorite Furin and buy it as a souvenir.

  Sales Hours

  9:00 – 16:00

  Date of Sale

  The festival is held every day during the Furin Festival.

Taste the summer menu at “Chabo Ofusa”.

• “Chabo (Japanese tea house) Ofusa” located at the back of the temple grounds is another popular spot that you should definitely stop by.
  During the Furin Festival, Kakigori (shaved ice) will be offered as a summer-only menu item.
  The fluffy ice is a gem, made the old-fashioned way.
  There is no air conditioning in the restaurant, but you can enjoy the view of the Japanese garden (Enku-no-niwa) from the veranda while sitting on the tatami mats and eating Kakigori, and you will feel cool and refreshed.
  The store displays Furin that are steeped in the culture and traditions of various regions of Japan, including “Ryukyu Glass Furin” from Okinawa, “Kiyomizu-yaki Furin” from Kyoto, and “Beppu Furin” that combines a bell and bamboo work.
• 

• 
• On this day, I had the kakigori “Uji Kintoki Milk”.
  A large bowl of Kakigori. The combination of Sweet Milk, refreshing Uji Tea, and Low-sweetness Anko (azuki bean paste).
  While enjoying the elegant sweetness of the Milk and Anko by the end of the meal, I strongly felt the refreshing good smell of Uji tea, a cup that made me feel cool.

  “Chabo Ofusa” Opening Hours

  10:00 – 16:00

  Closed day

  Closed irregularly.

Collaboration of Shabondama and Furin dancing in the wind.

• On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the Furin Festival, “Shabondama Time” will be held in front of the main hall, where many shabondama (bubbles) will be blown to decorate Furin.
  A photogenic event in which many bubbles are blown to decorate Furin in front of the main hall. Before the event, there will be an announcement broadcast in the precincts of the temple.
  Many people will gather, so please try to take fantastic photos while sharing the space.

• Event Schedule

  Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the Fu-ring Festival (7/1-8/31) (canceled in case of stormy weather)

  Event time

  Two times at 11:00 and 15:00.

• Many bubbles are blown up by the wind from the bubble machine.
• Bubbles flying in the wind and Fu-ring ringing in the wind. The sight of the wind chimes ringing in the wind and soap bubbles flying in the wind is also soothing.
• It also works well with ball blur photography.

Access

Let’s go out from the inn by automobile.

There is a free private parking lot right next to Ofusa Kannon, but it is not recommended due to the small number of parking spaces and one-way streets.
The second parking lot shown in the map below is free parking during normal times, but during the Furin Festival, a flat 500 yen parking fee is required.
It takes about 13 minutes to get there from Asuka no yado, and it is a 4-5 minute walk (about 350m) from the second parking lot.
 

For public transportation, buses are recommended.

If you use public transportation, first take the Akakame Bus to the Kashihara Jingu-mae Station East Exit bus stop.
Change to a bus bound for Yamato Yagi Station [South], get off at the Ousa bus stop, and walk about 6 minutes to get there.
 

Ofusa Kannon Official Website

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