Takoyakushidou

When I was wandering about the bustling commercial Kawaramachi area, I happened to find this unique named hall. Tako means octopus. Why does it have such a unique name? The reason derived from a mysterious legend. In old times a Buddhist monk bought an octopus against religious precepts for his sick mother who liked octopus. Unfortunately he was found to have bought the octopus by town people. This octopus suddenly changed itself to the scroll of sutras and threw a sacred light. People joined their hands at the changed octopus and recited a chant. This octopus was said to heal his mother. So in front of the main hall an octopus ornament is placed. If prayers pad this ornament, they can spend a healthy life. I’m not physically in good shape, so I padded this ornament elaborately.
The entrance is small but a narrow path leads to another small hall. In the back hall votive picture tablets called Ema were hanged so that prayers wished for recovery from illness or cancer. Also famous as a god blockading a cancer. I hope people suffering from grave illness will become even slightly comfortable.