A ceremony to commemorate the designation of three important cultural properties, including the main hall "Daiohhoden" of Manpukuji Temple, the head temple of the Obaku sect, as national treasures, was held on December 14, 2024, at Manpukuji Temple in Gokasho, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. As befitting a temple with a strong Chinese influence, the temple celebrated its upgrade to national treasure status with a balloon-breaking ceremony and lion dancing.
At the ceremony, Chief Priest Hiromichi Kondo said, "I would like to pay tribute to our predecessors who have made repeated repairs to the temple to this day. The designation of the temple as a national treasure is an encouragement." The guests and others burst the balloons while about 500 local residents looked on.
There was also a lion dance by the Kobe Chinese General Association Lion Dance Team, performances on Chinese lute and guzheng, and a concert by the Momoyama High School brass band.
The three buildings are the Daiyuhoden, the Hatto hall where sermons are given, and the Tennoden hall, which serves as the entrance. It is the central temple building of Manpukuji Temple and was completed between 1661 and 1673 during the Edo period. On October 18th, the Council for Cultural Affairs recommended that it be upgraded to a national treasure, and it was designated as such on December 9th.
Special night viewing is also available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5pm to 8pm until February 2nd, 2025.
