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Camellia Tea Ceremony @camelliakyoto@mastodon.social · 3 months ago

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During a Bodhi Day memorial during the Kamakura period at Daihōon-ji it's recorded that the 3rd abbot, Jizen (慈禅上人), took 4 radishes, cut them in half and drew the Sanskrit character for Buddha on each.

He then distributed them as a prayer for good health.

#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #daikondaki

Bowls of stewed daikon and tofu for daikon-daki.

Volunteers busy at work stewing thousands of daikon.

Volunteers busily stew daikon for worshippers.

Great Buddha of Asuka-dera, one of the oldest Buddhist statues in Japan.

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Camellia Tea Ceremony @camelliakyoto@mastodon.social · 3 months ago

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After a night of temptation and doubt, Buddha reached enlightenment just as Venus appeared in the morning sky.

Perhaps inspired by this, Jizen may have used the radish to symbolise the star, linking it to the overcoming of obstacles. The vegetable would come to be seen as a charm.

#daikondaki #大根だき #Buddha #venus #radish #radishfestival #Daihoonji #SenbonShakado

Images of Okame inside the main hall of Daihoon-ji. Now a folk figure, Okame was a real woman. The wife of the temple's head carpenter, she helped save construction of the main hall when her husband's calculations proved incorrect. Her reward? She killed herself to prevent anyone from knowing what had happened (the story got out anyway).

The main hall of Daihoon-ji is a national treasure. It is the oldest building in Kyoto's city proper.

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Camellia Tea Ceremony @camelliakyoto@mastodon.social · 3 months ago

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Considered a charm against evil (悪魔除けの大根), it made sense that these radishes would also help alleviate illnesses & diseases when consumed.

The 'blessed' radishes were mixed with others in a great cauldron and fed to the congregation to promote health for the upcoming year.

#Kyoto #Japan #daikon #daikondaki #radish

Woodblock print of the god Daikokuten carrying a giant daikon.

Image thanks - https://ukiyo-e.org/ — Woodblock print of the god Daikokuten carrying a giant daikon. Image thanks - https://ukiyo-e.org/

Woodblock print of armor and a giant daikon.

Image thanks - https://ukiyo-e.org/ — Woodblock print of armor and a giant daikon. Image thanks - https://ukiyo-e.org/

Woodblock print of the god Daikokuten writing on a giant daikon.

Image thanks - https://ukiyo-e.org/ — Woodblock print of the god Daikokuten writing on a giant daikon. Image thanks - https://ukiyo-e.org/

Woodblock print of a horse carrying daikon.

Image thanks - https://ukiyo-e.org/ — Woodblock print of a horse carrying daikon. Image thanks - https://ukiyo-e.org/

Camellia Tea Ceremony @camelliakyoto@mastodon.social · 3 months ago

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Known also as Senbon Shaka-dō (千本釈迦堂) and Kitano Shaka-dō (北野釈迦堂), Daihōon-ji's (大報恩寺) main hall was constructed in 1227 and is a national treasure. It's the oldest surviving building within the old city limits.

#Daihoonji #SenbonShakado #KitanoShakado #Kyoto #Japan #nationaltreasure

Cascades of sakura and the main hall of Daihoon-ji.

Finished in 1227 Daihoon-ji's main hall is the city's oldest building, a miraculous survivor even when it became a battleground in the 15thC.

The main hall of Daihoon-in glimpsed through it famous weeping cherry tree.

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