On July 23, 2025, one day before the Gion Matsuri's Hoko Procession, about 30 yamabushi from Shogoin Temple (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City), the head temple of the Shugendo sect, visited Ennogyoja-yama in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, and lit goma (fire offerings) on the road to pray for the safety of the Hoko Procession.
Ennogyoja-yama enshrines Ennogyoja, the founder of Shugendo, and three other figures. At around 2:00 p.m. on that day, the yamabushi appeared in front of Ennogyoja-yama, to the sound of a conch shell. They held a "yamabushi quiz."
Next, they shot six arrows in the east, west, north, south, goma altar, and the direction of the evil spirits to purify the place, and then the goma altar was set on fire. As the sounds of sutras being chanted and rosary beings being rubbed echoed, worshippers were bathed in the white smoke and prayed for good health. Officials of the Ennogyoja-yama Preservation Society and mountain ascetics threw goma fire into the fire and offered prayers.
