地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

The Bell Crickets and Kōfuku Jizō of Kegonji Temple

Kegonji Temple is perhaps most famous for its bell crickets, or suzumushi, but the tradition of keeping crickets at the temple has a relatively short history. Toward the end of World War II (1945), Kegonji’s eighth abbot heard bell crickets as he sat in meditation one autumn evening. The abbot noticed how the sound of the crickets cleared away his wartime anxieties, and he wanted to give every visitor the chance to be soothed by the sound as well. However, bell crickets chirp only in autumn. In order to develop the necessary conditions to keep them singing throughout the year, the abbot spent 28 years breeding and studying bell crickets.

Near the temple’s main gate is a statue of Kōfuku Jizō, the Jizō of happiness. Jizō is one of the most commonly seen bodhisattvas in Japan and is said to take more than 100 different forms. Jizō is typically depicted as a barefoot monk carrying a staff in his right hand and a wish-granting jewel in his left hand. However, Kōfuku Jizō is the only iteration of the bodhisattva who is said to visit people’s homes directly to grant their wishes, and the statue wears straw sandals for the sake of making these journeys. Prayers to Kōfuku Jizō are made using a kōfuku charm, which are sold by the temple. To ensure that your wish is granted, stand before the statue and hold the kōfuku charm in both hands with the character for “happiness” (幸) clearly visible. State your name and address before making your wish, and then keep the charm with you until your wish has been granted.

華嚴寺的鈴蟲和幸福地藏

華嚴寺最出名的恐怕就是鈴蟲了。鈴蟲（Suzumushi）是日本鐘蟋的日文名稱，這種蟋蟀科昆蟲在中國被稱為「馬蛉」，是著名的夜行鳴蟲。但事實上，寺廟飼養鈴蟲的歷史並不長。二戰即將結束前（1945）的一個秋夜，華嚴寺的第八任住持在打坐冥想時聽到了鈴蟲的鳴叫聲，他意識到蟲鳴聲竟然消除了困擾他的戰時焦慮，因此也想讓每一位到訪者都有機會感受這聲音的撫慰。然而，鈴蟲只在秋天鳴叫，為了創造必要的條件令鈴蟲們能終年歌唱，住持花了整整28年的時間培育和研究鈴蟲。

寺廟正門附近有一尊幸福地藏像，地藏菩薩是日本最常見的菩薩之一，據說有100多種不同的形態。其形象通常被塑造成赤腳的僧人，右手拿著錫杖，左手拿著摩尼寶珠。然而，幸福地藏據說是唯一會親自上門滿足人們願望的菩薩，因此，祂總是腳穿草鞋，以便探訪信徒。

向幸福地藏參拜祈禱時，需要在寺院請一枚「幸福護身符」，上面清晰可見「幸」字。站在雕像前，雙手捧著護身符，先說出姓名和地址再許願，之後要隨身攜帶護身符，直到願望實現為止。

华严寺的铃虫和幸福地藏

华严寺最出名的恐怕就是铃虫了。铃虫(Suzumushi)是日本钟蟋的日文名称，这种蟋蟀科昆虫在中国被称为“马蛉”，是著名的夜行鸣虫。但事实上，寺庙饲养铃虫的历史并不长。二战即将结束前(1945)的一个秋夜，华严寺的第八任住持在打坐冥想时听到了铃虫的鸣叫声，他意识到虫鸣声竟然消除了困扰他的战时焦虑，因此也想让每一位来访者都有机会感受这声音的抚慰。然而，铃虫只在秋天鸣叫，为了创造必要的条件令它们能终年歌唱，住持花了整整28年的时间培育和研究铃虫。

寺庙正门附近有一尊幸福地藏像。地藏菩萨是日本最常见的菩萨之一，据说有100多种不同的形态，他通常被塑造成赤脚僧人的形象，右手拿着锡杖，左手拿着摩尼宝珠。然而，幸福地藏据说是唯一会亲自上门满足人们愿望的菩萨，因此，他总是脚穿草鞋，以便探访信徒。

向幸福地藏参拜祈祷时，需要在寺院请一枚“幸福护身符”，上面清晰可见“幸”字。站在雕像前，双手捧着护身符，先说出姓名和地址，再许愿。之后就需要随身携带护身符，直到愿望实现为止。