On January 28, 2025, the annual First Fudo was held at Tanukidaniyama Fudoin Temple in Ichijoji, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. All worshippers chanted sutras while a goma fire was being held in the main hall. They were also served sasazake (a type of sake made from bamboo leaves) which is said to have the power to ward off cancer, and prayed for good health.
The festival day for the principal deity, Fudo Myoo, who is said to have the power to ward off all evil and disasters, is held on the 28th of every month, and the first day of the year in January is popularly known as the first Fudo. Sasa sake is named after a story from about 300 years ago when the monk Mokjiki filled a bamboo tube with water from the waterfall where he was practicing and gave it to a sick person to drink, who was instantly cured of his illness.
On that day, the lowest temperature in Kyoto City was 4.7 degrees (according to the Kyoto Regional Meteorological Observatory), which was as warm as mid-March. A Chinese tourist who had come with his family was seen screaming on the long stone steps leading to the main hall and taking a break halfway up.
