What is a public unveiling?
The Zenkoji Temple's main image of worship is unveiled once every seven years (according to the traditional Japanese age counting system). The main image of worship, normally housed in the treasure house, is brought into the main hall, making it the most grand ceremony at Zenkoji Temple where worshippers can forge a connection with the Buddha.
The Zenkoji Temple's main image is unveiled to the public once every seven years.
The principal image of Zenkoji Temple, the "Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai," features Amida Buddha in the center, Kannon Bodhisattva on the right, and Seishi Bodhisattva on the left, all arranged within a single halo--a unique arrangement specific to Zenkoji Temple.
Since 654 AD, the principal image has been kept as an absolute secret, its form never being directly viewed. The "Maedachi Honzon," a nationally important cultural property, was created during the Kamakura period as a substitute for the principal image.
The Maedachi Honzon is usually housed in the temple's treasure house. During the period of public viewing, it is brought into the main hall, allowing visitors to see and worship it. This is a special opportunity to experience the faith that has been passed down through a long history and to forge a connection with the Buddha.
The "rope of goodness" connecting the main image of worship and the memorial pillar.
During the public viewing period, a "Memorial Pillar" approximately 10 meters tall is erected in front of the main hall.
A golden thread is tied to the right hand of the Amida Buddha, who is in the center of the main image of worship. This thread passes through five-colored threads and becomes a white "rope of goodness," which connects to the Memorial Pillar in front of the main hall.
For this reason, it is said that touching the Memorial Pillar brings the same blessings as touching the main image of worship. The Memorial Pillar is a symbol of the public viewing period, where visitors can forge a connection with the Buddha.
inherited from Matsushiro
The memorial pillar is donated to Zenkoji Temple from Matsushiro-machi in Nagano City. This tradition has been
passed down for over 300 years, stemming from the fact that the Matsushiro domain was entrusted by the shogunate with supervising the construction of the current Zenkoji Temple main hall when it was rebuilt in 1707.
At the memorial pillar acceptance ceremony held prior to the Gokaicho (public unveiling of the temple), the memorial pillar is delivered from Matsushiro to Zenkoji Temple. The Gokaicho is an event that has been supported not only by Zenkoji Temple but also by the prayers and activities of the local people.