Denkōji

The naked Jizō of Denkōji in Nara

The name of this temple literally means “transmitted fragrance.” The grounds of Denkōji house a kindergarten, but the temple itself is not open to other visitors except on the 23rd of July, for the ceremonial clothing of it’s hidden buddha, a wooden statue of the bodhisattva Jizō. The cast-off robes of the previous year are cut into strips and distributed to worshippers as protective amulets.

Denkōji Jizō statue

statue in situ

ceremonial dressing

map

Denkōji Jizō robed

Denkōji gate

famous camellias of Denkōji