On September 4, 2025, the Kitano Goryoe, a Shinto-Buddhist syncretism ritual, was held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City). A total of 22 people, including Shinto priests from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and monks from Enryaku-ji Temple (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture), the head temple of the Tendai sect, prayed for the eradication of epidemics and the peace of the nation.
The ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. in a solemn atmosphere in the main hall. After the chief priest offered a prayer, monks performed the "Hokke Sammai" memorial service. This year, a Daiajari (great ajari) who had completed the 1,000-day pilgrimage also performed a "Ryuin Kaji" (standing seal) ceremony, offering prayers for the health and safety of worshippers.
The Kitano Goryoe has been held in conjunction with the Tenmangu Shrine's annual festival, the Kitano Festival, since the Heian period, but was discontinued during the Onin War and revived in 2020.
After the ceremony, the chief priest addressed those involved and mentioned that he is working to restore the old rituals, saying, "(At the Goryo-e ceremony) I prayed for everyone's peace. I sincerely hope that the Kitano Festival will be restored to the way it was in the past."
