Thump, thump, thump, thump…
Four cute little ogres strike the rhythm by tapping the floor with long canes. In time with the rhythm, a red and a blue ogre appear from the shadows of Buddha, and the main temple is immediately filled with excitement.

At Kakurinji temple, which is located in Kakogawa city, Hyogo prefecture, shushoe has been performed continuously since the Heian era. On this day, in order to repent bad deeds, in continuation for the keka memorial service (confessing one’s sins), an ogre chase is performed by the members of a preservation committee. Shushoe is a Buddhist ceremony held during New Year with the purpose of repenting for the previous year and praying for peace in the coming year.

Sometimes jumping among the temple visitors and causing a ruckus, the ogres dance while circling around the Buddha statue…

The red ogre swings its axe around fiercely, it’s completely terrifying. Eeeek! So this is what the expression of a real ogre looks like.
On the other hand, the blue ogre with the droopy eyes is apparently the sullen, silent type even though it’s holding a spear. The impact of the red ogre is so strong that the face of the blue ogre appears kind.

There is only one way to drive away the ogres – shout “Doiyasho!” as loudly as possible!  Apparently, the stronger the “Do” the more ‘mean’ the meaning. The energetic shouts of children echo around.

The grownups are… too busy taking pictures to falter even at the sight of the red ogre.

After circling around 6, 7, 8 times, the ogres finally grow tired and begin to return from whence they came! “Doiyasho!” “Doiyasho!” Thank goodness, it appears that the ogres were finally reformed by the power of Buddha.
Also known as “Harima’s Horyuji”, Kakurinji is a temple of the Buddhist Tendai sect that is said to be the lineage established by Prince Shotoku. The main hall and the Taishido have been designated as national treasures of Japan.

After chasing away the ogres, the chief priest and members of the ogre chase preservation committee throw rice cakes to the visitors.

When returning home, I lined up and received a stamp on my forehead. May this year pass without meeting any ogres!