Event Overview

 

In the year 747 (Tenpyou 19), during the Nara period, the Minister of the Right, Fujiwara no Toyonari and his wife prayed at Hase-dera temple and gave birth to Princess Chuujou. When the princess was 3 years old, her mother, Murasaki no Mae, passed away, and when she was 7, her father, Toyonari, took Teruyo no Mae as his second wife.
As the princess grew, she became exceptionally beautiful, intelligent, and excelled in everything she did. This led her stepmother to grow resentful, and at the age of 13, she secretly ordered a retainer named Ito Harutoki to assassinate the princess at Mount Hibari-yama in Kii Province. However, Harutoki was moved by the princess's virtue and instead called his wife from the capital to protect and raise the princess.
Three years later, in the year 761 (Tenpyouhouji 5 ), Toyonari returned from a hunting trip and tearfully reunited with the princess. However, at the age of 17, she shaved her head and took the name Hounyo at Taima-dera temple, where she also wove the famous Taima Mandala. In the year 775 (Houki 6), on the 14th day of the second month, she was welcomed by 25 bodhisattvas and closed her tumultuous life at the age of 29.
At Tokushou-ji Temple, every year on the princess's memorial day, which falls on May 14th, a special ceremony called the Raising Ceremony is held. During this event, elementary school students dress up as the 25 bodhisattvas and parade from the Founder's Hall to the Main Hall, a valuable tradition that offers insight into ancient Buddhist culture.

 

 

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