Aizendo Hall
This small hall was built in 1770, and originally housed a collection of Buddhist scriptures. In 1983, it was rechristened as the Aizendo Hall, as it now enshrines the statue of a seated Aizen Myo-o. The statue dates back to the 1870s and once was venerated at the now-abandoned Anzenji Temple.
Aizen Myo-o is a protective Buddhist deity, whose role is to sublimate people’s earthly passions into a state of enlightenment. Besides the fulfillment of romantic love, Aizen Myo-o is also an important figure in the connection between people and even things.
During the Aizendo Festival held once a year on November 27, a large-scale gomataki fire ritual is performed before the Aizen Myo-o. Believers write their wishes and hopes on wooden prayer plaques called gomaki, which are then burned in front of the altar.