
Hirosaki's Kudo-ji Temple opens to the public ghost paintings by Maruyama Okyo to extended opening hours to mark 240 years since the dedication
On June 23rd, Kudo-ji Temple (Sakamoto, Hirosaki City) will open to the public for one day only a ghost painting by Maruyama Okyo, a painter active during the Edo period.
The ghost painting "Hangonkonozu" that will be on display is said to have been commissioned by Hirosaki Domain elder Morioka Gentoku to be painted by Maruyama Okyo as a memorial for a special woman who had passed away. It was donated to Kudo-ji Temple in 1784 (Tenmei 4) and became a city-certified tangible cultural property in 2021.
Every year on May 18th of the lunar calendar, the temple opens the ghost paintings to the public for one hour to hold a memorial service for them, but this year, as part of a project to commemorate the 240th anniversary of the dedication, the opening hours have been extended to five hours. The temple's chief priest, Mitsuaki Sudo, said, "I hope that the ghost paintings will be happy if many people hold memorial services for them."
In line with the extension of the public viewing period, the exhibition location will be changed from the temple's main hall to the Kannon Hall. A memorial service will be held on the same day from 10:00 a.m., and only those who have applied in advance can attend. The offering fee is 5,000 yen. Those who apply will receive a "Return Soul Incense Label Okyoshu" and a "Protection from Misfortune Charm" from Kanetada Sake Brewery (Shigemori Town).
The "Protection Charm" was designed by Senan, a Nishikie artist living in Aomori. On the same day, Senan will donate a hanging scroll, "Portrait of a Prostitute," inspired by ghost paintings, to the temple. The temple will hold a special exhibition of the hanging scroll to coincide with the public viewing of the ghost paintings, and will also be selling Senan's handwritten ghost painting red seals (one side = 1,000 yen, both sides = 2,000 yen).
The "Kudo-ji Temple Okyo Ghost Painting Executive Committee" will hold the "Watch Maruyama Okyo's Ghost Paintings and Listen to the Rakugo 'Okyo's Ghost' Tour" for the fifth year this year to coincide with the opening day. On the day, Aomori-born rakugo performer Sanyutei Aomori will take to the stage. The participation fee is 3,000 yen.
The chief priest, Mr. Sudo, says, "We thought that on this 240-year milestone, we could contribute in some way to revitalizing Tsugaru through the ghost paintings. We are sure the ghost paintings will be happy with them."
Opening hours are from 10:00 to 15:00.