Autumn Special Exhibition "Ritual Implements with Prayer to Buddha"

It is generally believed that esoteric Buddhism was introduced to Japan during the Heian period. People have sought to make their wishes come true by chanting mantras, making mudra pacts, and performing rituals, but these rituals use a variety of devices, such as special tools and altars that originated from everyday items in ancient India. These are collectively called "esoteric Buddhist ritual implements." Esoteric Buddhist rituals are often performed in front of altars such as large altars or goma altars, and for this reason esoteric Buddhist ritual implements are sometimes called altar implements.
Many ritual implements were brought to Japan by monks studying abroad, including the Eight Families who went to Tang China, and later began to be made domestically. As possessions of other famous monks, they were not only used as tools for rituals, but also gave rise to faith in themselves.
The "Ritual Implements Infused with Prayers to Buddha" exhibition will display a total of 28 items, including 1 National Treasure, 17 Important Cultural Properties, 3 Wakayama Prefecture designated items, and 7 undesignated items, including a golden rosary (for a limited time only) that is said to have been owned by Kobo Daishi and is owned by Ryukoin Temple, the former residence of Kobo Daishi, Kongara Doji (created by Unkei), one of the National Treasures of the Eight Great Standing Doji Statues, a gilt bronze five-pronged vajra and a gilt bronze three-pronged vajra both of which are Important Cultural Properties.