Experience the Pure Land Right in the Heart of Tokyo ~Kuhonbutsu Jōshin-ji Temple: Mask-Wearing Ceremony　九品仏お面かぶり

Date; May 5—Every four years—Next time in 2028
Location; 7-41-3 Okusawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo
Access; Get off at Kuhonbutsu Station on the Tokyu Oimachi Line; about 5 minutes (About 30 minutes from Tokyo Station)
Get off at Jiyugaoka Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line; about 15 minutes

Josinji-temple official (Japanese) https://kuhombutsu.jp/event/omenkaburi/

This article is based on a visit of 2024, 5th of May.

The Area of Setagaya

When most Japanese people hear “Setagaya,” they think, “Oh, that’s a nice place.” By “nice place,” they don’t mean it’s scenic. They mean it’s an area where slightly wealthy people live. In Japan, a country surrounded by the sea and mountains, there are plenty of scenic spots like this if you just venture a little way out of the city. Even a studio apartment costs about 100,000 yen a month. Many celebrities live there, too. That’s the kind of place it is. That’s why it’s very accessible. That’s why the station is located in the middle of a bustling city.

Just walking down the approach path opens up a whole new world. The temple is filled with trees and has a refreshing atmosphere. It’s also a popular destination for tourists, drawing crowds to see the cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn foliage.

The event is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. A bridge for the Buddha to walk across has already been set up, and many onlookers are gathered around it.

The Buddhas Are Coming

First, the monks and worshippers move from the main hall to a hall on the opposite side called the Jōbon-dō, where a Buddha statue is enshrined. There, they put on Buddha masks, and the Buddha procession finally begins.
To begin with, its official name is “The Assembly of the 25 Bodhisattvas Welcoming the Deceased.”
This embodies the belief that when a person passes away, the Buddha will come from the Pure Land to welcome those who have performed good deeds during their lifetime. Here, the Main Hall represents the present world, while the Jōbon-dō Hall represents the Pure Land of Bliss; the performance is staged to depict the Buddha coming from the Pure Land to welcome the people.

One after another, 25 bodhisattvas proceed, guided by the strains of gagaku music. Even though it’s May, it’s hot. Since the masks apparently severely obstruct their vision, their attendants assist them and occasionally fan them.

The Bodhisattva, having gone to welcome the people, returns once more to the Pure Land of Bliss.

Although all Buddha statues look the same, the objects they hold do differ from one to another.

A heavenly show lasting just under an hour.

People leave the temple, with its fresh greenery, hoping for a little happiness.

The 25 Bodhisattvas Welcoming Ceremony is held in various locations. For reference→https://discoverdeeperjapan.com/2021/04/11/manbu-onerithe-luxurious-world-of-buddha-at-dai-nenbutu-ji-temple/