Uchiwamaki (fan-throwing) Festival

Uchiwamaki (fan-throwing) Festival 

Every year on May 19, the anniversary of Kakujo’s death, a ritual “Chuko-ki Bonmo-e” is held at Toshodai-ji Temple when uchiwa fans are thrown from the Koro (Shariden) Hall to cherish the memory of his great achievements.

As a result, “Chuko-ki Bonmo-e” is more popularly known as the “Uchiwamaki (fan-throwing) Festival”.

One day, a mosquito bit Kakujo and he said to his disciples “Let me be bitten by a mosquito as my training in Buddhist giving”.

After Kakujo died, the nuns of Hokke-ji Temple who received his teachings would offer round fans to his grave to help him ward off the insects in the afterlife. The fans are now shared among people by being thrown by monks from the Koro hall.

The fans are a unique heart shape. They are believed to help the owner avoid being struck by lightning or suffering from fire or illness, as well as bringing a good harvest, and easy delivery and health for newborn babies.

Why don’t you get one?

You’ll need to get tickets to join the fan-throwing from around 9am, but expect a long line and long wait, and there are only 400 tickets.

If you can’t join the event itself, don’t worry! An additional 1000 lottery tickets are distributed until 2:30pm, when the lucky winners will also get a fan (… and if you’re unlucky or don’t have time to wait but still really want a fan, some are for sale for 1000 JPY).

A Buddhist memorial ceremony is held and Bugaku (traditional court music and dance) is performed from 1pm.

The entrance fee to Toshodai-ji is 600 JPY for adults.