[Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture] The zodiac sign in 2023 is “Rabbit”, and what is “Kedegami-san” which matches the Sendai region zodiac sign?

In Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, there are 12 shrines and temples where the zodiac signs are enshrined, and the principal image of worship that corresponds to each zodiac sign is called ``Ketaikami, Kedegami-san.'' It has its own unique beliefs.

Since ancient times, there has been a belief throughout Japan that worships the gods and Buddhas as ``guardian principal images'' that protect people's lives. As time passed, the zodiac and the guardian deity were combined, and the faith spread to the common people during the Edo period.

At this time, in Sendai Castle, it was called ``Gataishin,'' and the connection between shrines and temples and the zodiac led to people's faith. There is no difference between ``Gataishin'' and ``Morihonzon''; they are just different names, and I have heard that Sendai has been an area that has had faith in the zodiac for a long time.

I will explain the shrines and temples associated with the Kantai gods of each zodiac in the order of the zodiac.

When Sendai Castle was built, the zodiac was enshrined according to each direction of the zodiac to protect the castle town, which is also connected to Sendai's faith and history.

This year is Reiwa 5, which is 2023 according to the Western calendar.The zodiac sign for this year is the rabbit, the deity is Manjusri Bosatsu, and the shrine is Washisuyama Monjudo in Yahata, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Mt. Washisu Monjudo

Mt. Washisu Monjudo is located on the way to Osaki Hachimangu Shrine in Yahata, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, on the right hand side, on the Sendai Murata Line, heading straight for Oribumen.

In 1603, in the 8th year of the Keicho era, Mine Hachibei, a vassal of Date Masamune, received the Washisu Mountain area from Lord Masamune, and this year marks the 420th anniversary of the opening of the mountain.

The deity of the Manjusri Hall is Manjusri Bodhisattva, and of course it enshrines the rabbit of the zodiac, and since Manjusri Bodhisattva is also known as the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, it is a famous place in Sendai City for praying for entrance exams.

This time I went by car, so I went up the hill from the photo sign and headed to the parking lot of Manjudo.

Climb up the slope and you will reach the parking lot in about 100m.

When you park your car in the parking lot and enter the Manjushu-do precincts, you will see the 33 Kanzeon Bodhisattvas erected there.

This was built in 2002, the 400th anniversary of the opening of Manjushri Bodhisattva Temple, by Nobu Minegishi, a stone Buddhist sculptor who received an offer to build the Thirty-Three Kannons from Kazuo Okuda of Okuda Construction Co., Ltd., a deeply religious company. With the spirit of ``oneness of matter and mind,'' each time I am struck by a waterfall, I will become the Bodhisattva Kanzeon, who put all my heart and soul into creating it.

Once you pass through the gate, you will find yourself in another world, Monjudo Hall, which is full of rabbits.

If you go through the approach, climb the stairs, and look into the Suishinmon gate, you will see a large Sendai papier mache rabbit on the right side.

It's a fairly large Sendai Hariko rabbit, and it's hard to tell from the photo, but I think it's about 1.8m tall and 1.5m wide.

A carrot, which is probably his favorite food, was placed in front of his mouth.

You're looking at some amazing carrots, aren't you?

If you pass through the Suishin Gate, you will reach the Manjusri Bodhisattva Hall.

Is there a guardian dog in front of the main hall? Komau? A sculpture of a rabbit is enshrined here.

The votive tablets are also full of rabbits.

Also, it may be hard to see because the photo is far away, but have you noticed the roof of Manjusri Bodhisattva Hall above?

A rabbit is standing on its head on the roof of the main hall.

This is called a wave rabbit, and it resembles a rabbit crossing tiles that look like waves.

The rabbit is closely related to the moon, and in the Chinese theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements, fire represents the sun and the moon represents water. From this point on, rabbits were considered to be animals associated with water, and it is said that people would raise them on the roof to pray for a fire. There is a theory that it is included.

Another interesting story is that during the period when Date Masamune ruled, the lord of the Sendai domain, in honor of Date Masamune, a tile with the zodiac sign of Masamune, the Rabbit, was placed on the roof as a culture of prosperous business. There is also a story that the ``Udatsu'' part of the roof is also called ``U-Tatsu'', which is a pun, and that it was popular among Sendai merchants to put ``U-Tatsu'' on the roof. .

Nowadays, you can see the ``Wami Rabbit'' at the main gate of Manjusri Bodhisattva Hall and the Governor's Residence in Sendai City.

The roof of Manjusri Bodhisattva Hall is so high that you cannot see the whole thing, but inside the precincts, in front of the Sendai papier-mâché ``rabbit'' at the Suishin gate, the previous generation's ``Nami Rabbit'' is displayed, and you can see it up close.

Washisuyama Monjudo has a bus stop called ``Monjudo-mae.''

When you get off at the Manjudo bus stop, the stairs under the Manjudo approach will be right in front of you.

This staircase has 108 steps, and we recommend climbing it while letting go of your earthly desires.

This time, I parked my car in a parking lot near the main hall, but since I had the opportunity to go down the stairs, I decided to go up again, but it wasn't too difficult for me, even though I don't have enough exercise.

I recommend going up and down the stairs as the scenery is nice.

Mt. Washisu Monjudo has a history of 420 years, and although it is close to the city, it is a quiet place where you can enjoy the clear and beautiful wind.

This year's zodiac sign is the Rabbit, so I've put together an article about it, but it's also a good idea to stop by when you're tired of your daily life.

Each of the 33 Kanzeon Bodhisattvas has an explanation written on the stand, and just reading the explanation and joining hands will make you feel better.

Next New Year, we will be visiting the ``Kedegami-san'' of ``Mukoyama/Atago Shrine'' to say hello.

INFORMATION

• Name: Washizuyama Monjudo
• Address: 6-10-18 Yawata, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0871
• Principal image: Manjusri Bodhisattva

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