Kyoto Festival: Daikon Exorcism Blessing Ritual at Sanbo-ji Temple. (Yaku Otoshi no Daikondaki)

On the first Saturday and Sunday in December Sanbō-ji, a temple in northwestern Kyoto, holds their "Yaku Otoshi no Daikondaki", or "Exorcism Radish Offering" ritual. Sanbō-ji uses the daikondaki to celebrate the death anniversary of the Buddhist sage Nichiren, who founded their sect in the 13th century and propogated the Lotus Sutra as the true way to Enlightenment. Hundreds visit the temple during this event to partake in a bowl of piping hot radish and Sanbō-ji's signature yuzu (citron) rice. Both of these dishes have a special meaning, as the daikon is blessed to prevent palsy and the delicious yuzu rice comes from Nichiren, who encouraged his followers partake of the fruit to warm the body in the winter months. Throughout the day various rituals are held inside the main hall, including a tea offering and a passionate recitation of the Lotus Sutra in which the priests exorcise the participants with flint, sounding sticks, and sealing movements. While at this quaint hillside temple be sure to explore the grounds as well. Founded in 1628 on orders from Emperor Go Mizuno'o, it was long a center of learning and cultivation, and is particularly known for the tea master Yamada Sōhen, who studied at one of the Sanbō-ji subtemples before later leaving to become a tea master who would one day aid the famous 47 Rōnin. Though the original buildings are no longer standing, the current hall is made from the building in which the Shōwa Emperor was coronated. Keep your eyes peeled for flashes of red as you walk around; tiny Daruma dolls filled with omikuji fortunes dot the landscape in grumpy little lines.