New Year at Tofukuji

New Year prayers under a dragon ceiling in Kyoto

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

I couldn't help noticing the curious slippers!

You can see wear and tear on the wooden soles of the sandals

Notice

Three buildings designated as National Important Cultural Properties are undergoing renovations. The planned construction area will be off-limits from Mid-May 2023 to October 2025. The Kaisando Hall will still be open to visitors.

Latest on Tofukuji Temple

I was passing Tofukuji in Kyoto on the second day of 2014, and decided to take a few photos there. A number of people were crowded around the open temple doors, so naturally I went to see why. A prayer service was in progress with robed monks kneeling under a high ceiling painted with a dragon. Behind each monk sat a curious pair of slippers with turned-up toes in bright colors. When the service was over, the prayerful monks dispersed in many different directions.