Ahead of the biggest event at the World Heritage site Daigoji Temple (Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City), affectionately known as "Godairiki-san," to be held on February 23, 2025, a giant kagami mochi of the same size as that used in the event was exhibited at Hotel Granvia Kyoto (Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City) on February 11. Monks held a memorial service to put the soul into the kagami mochi and prayed for people's happiness.
The 150 kg red and white two-tiered kagami mochi that appeared in the hotel lobby is the same size as the mochi that men lift in the "Mochiagerikihodon" ceremony at the Godairikison Nino-e. It has been on display since 2006 to allow visitors to Kyoto to feel the power of the experience.
The memorial service was held by a monk dressed as a mountain ascetic blowing a conch shell and chanting sutras to put the soul into the kagami mochi. Daigoji Temple's head executive officer, Ohara Hirotaka (65), said, "We prayed for a year free of disasters. We hope that many people will take home some good fortune." The exhibition will be on display until February 23rd.
The Godairikison Nio-e ceremony will begin at 9 am. The rice cake offering ceremony to dedicate power to the Five Great Kings will begin at 11 am for men and 1 pm for women (weight 90 kg). The maximum capacity of 20 men has already been reached, and applications for women are being accepted until 5 pm on February 15th.
