Horin-ji Temple: Kyoto’s Iconic Jusan Mairi Temple
Beautiful Arashiyama is easily one of Kyoto’s biggest destinations, attracting swarms of tourist throughout the year. However, in the middle of the Arashiyama, is the small and often ignored Horin-ji Temple. While this temple is not popular at all with tourists, it is extremely popular with Kyoto natives. In fact, a true Kyotoite must visit Horin-ji at least once in their life, especially for Jusan Mairi.
Horin-ji Temple
Before talking about Horin-ji, let’s talk about Jusan Mairi the primary reason why anyone from Kyoto goes to Horin-ji. Jusan Mairi is a ceremony for 13-year-old children where they visit a temple that enshrines Kokuzo Bosastu, the Buddhist deity of intelligence.
In the Kansai region, people still participate in Jusan Mairi, where it is arguably as popular as another big childhood ceremony, Shichigosan.
There are many theories as to why the ceremony is for 13 year old and not 11 or 12. One convincing theory states that the reason is because this was once more like a coming-of-age ceremony.
The very famous Buddhist monk, Gyoki, built Horin-ji dates back to 713 when Gyoki built it. In 829, another high rank monk, Dosho, who studied under the extremely prominent Kukai, enshrined at statue of Kokuzo Bososatsu here and expanded the temple’s land.
By the way, since the temple has such a strong connection to electricity the temple has microSD charms with a picture of the main deity on it. I have never seen another temple that sells microSD chips in any capacity.
Denden-gu
As you climb the stairs on the way to the hondo is a very unique shrine, Denden-gu. A legend says that long ago on a starry night Kokuzo Bososatsu came down to reside in Horin-ji. Since he came from the sky people view him like another god, the god of light/lightening Denden. Though the details of this legend are shroud in mystery.
In any case, this god later became worshiped as the god of electricity and many electrical companies pay respect to this temple.
For children who participate in Jusan Mairi at Horin-ji, there is one important rule they must follow. After the ritual is done, they must look back until they cross the Togetsu Bridge. If they do, it is believed that their blessings will be resent to Horin-ji.
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