Yakushi-ji Temple in Keihoku Hosono-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City has specially unveiled the secret Buddha, ''Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai.'' Visitors offered prayers to the main image, and after chanting sutras, they burned daikon radish and enjoyed the flavors of winter with local residents.

Worshipers (left) and chief priest pray for good health at the principal image, which is unveiled once a year, at Yakushiji Temple in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City.

Yakushiji Temple is known as the temple that was rebuilt by Emperor Kogon, who founded Joshokoji Temple (Keihoku Idocho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City). Since 2019, the principal image of Buddha has been unveiled every year on December 8, the Jodo-e festival, the day when Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, as an event held by about 30 temples in the village, where the birthrate is declining and the population is aging.

The Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai is a seated wooden statue with a blue lapis lazuli color on its hair, and it is said to have been brought from India via China, but the date of its creation is unknown. Until 40 years ago, it was opened to the public once every four years and remained a hidden Buddha for a long time.

A local woman (88 years old) said, ''Buddha has a kind face.I prayed for her family's good health.'' After the sutra recitation, daikon radish grown by the monks was stewed early in the morning and served. Worshipers and residents were proud of the soup-soaked daikon radish.

Chief Priest Horishi Taikyo (age 52) said, ''Because of my relationship with Yakushi-san, I also learned that the local people support daikon-burning and other activities, so I am looking forward to visiting again next year.'' I hope so.”