The 2026 Kyuri Kaji has concluded
Thank you to everyone who joined us and entrusted their prayers to Byodoji this year.
Wednesday, July 21 (first Ushi day), and Monday, August 2 (second Ushi day), 2027
The date of Byodoji’s 2027 Kyuri Kaji will be announced on this page once confirmed.
This page explains Byodoji's Kyuri Kaji service and application details in English.
Names of Buddhist figures and ritual implements are accompanied by their Japanese or Sanskrit-derived terms where helpful.
A cucumber is blessed as a ritual support for entrusting illness and misfortune, and prayers are offered to Yakushi Nyorai for health and safety.
Online applications are open. Byodoji reads each participant's name and intention in the main hall.
This is a Buddhist prayer, not a medical treatment or substitute for diagnosis, medication, or health management.
The service begins at 1:00 p.m. JST on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and lasts about two hours.
Names and prayer intentions are read, and cucumbers are blessed as ritual supports for entrusting illness and misfortune.
The 2026 service begins at 1:00 p.m. JST on Sunday, July 26, and lasts about two hours.
Anyone may apply, regardless of denomination, nationality, or age.
Apply online or at the temple office. Online participants may join the service by livestream.
Summer Doyo falls during one of Japan's hottest periods. At Byodoji, Kyuri Kaji is offered as a prayer for the health and well-being of you and your family.
Kyuri Kaji is a Buddhist blessing in which illness and misfortune are entrusted to a cucumber, which is blessed before the Buddha and then returned to the earth. Also called “kyuri fuji,” it is offered as a summer prayer for health and protection.
In-depth articleWhat is Kyuri Kaji?Explore the meaning of the rite, its tradition associated with Kobo Daishi, its sources, and the Shingon teaching of the three mysteries.At the temple office or online, provide your name and prayer intention and make the 1,000 JPY offering. Byodoji prepares a dedicated talisman for the Kyuri Kaji rite.
Before Yakushi Nyorai, the officiating priest forms mudras and recites mantras. This is a practice of sanmitsu kaji, bringing the participant and cucumber into ritual correspondence.
Tokkosho is a Buddhist ritual implement used to make a small opening in the cucumber. The participant's talisman is placed inside while prayers are offered for recovery from illness and continued health.
Those attending in person touch the affected part of the body three times with the blessed cucumber. For online applicants, Byodoji reads each name and prayer intention aloud during the rite.
After the blessing, the cucumber is placed in clean earth within the temple grounds. As it returns to the earth, prayers are offered that illness and misfortune may also fall away.
Entrust your own or your family's prayer to a single cucumber.
Kyuri Kaji is offered for recovery from illness, continued health, family safety, and other sincere wishes.
Byodoji performs the summer Doyo service before Yakushi Nyorai, the principal deity of the main hall.
Pray for recovery from illness, a safe operation, health, and longevity for yourself or family members.
Pray for protection from misfortune, road safety, and safety in everyday life.
Pray for family members living far away and for peaceful days at home.
Pray for a heartfelt wish to be fulfilled and for a calm, peaceful mind.
Please continue any diagnosis, treatment, medication, and daily health management recommended by your healthcare professionals. Kyuri Kaji is a Buddhist prayer for your well-being and that of your family; it is not a substitute for medical care.
At Byodoji, Kyuri Kaji is observed as a kaji rite traditionally said to have been brought from Tang China by Kobo Daishi. A local tradition in Aratano holds that Kobo Daishi offered this prayer at Zenshuji and Byodoji. Byodoji carries this tradition forward.
The cucumber serves as a ritual substitute; a talisman is placed inside, mantras are recited, and the cucumber is blessed. Byodoji carefully preserves these actions as a Shingon Buddhist kaji rite.
The 2026 Kyuri Kaji has concluded. Thank you to everyone who joined us and entrusted their prayers to Byodoji.
Summer Doyo 2026
Byodoji offered this kaji rite, traditionally associated with Kobo Daishi, in its main hall.
Applications for the 2026 Kyuri Kaji are now closed.
An in-depth article on the meaning of kaji, the tradition associated with Kobo Daishi, primary sources, and the three mysteries.
A directory of temples from Hokkaido to Okinawa that continue Kyuri Kaji and related cucumber rites.
Answers to common questions before applying for Kyuri Kaji.
Yes. No special Buddhist knowledge or ritual training is required. Anyone who wishes for safety and health may apply.
Yes. Kyuri Kaji is not medical treatment and does not replace diagnosis, medication, or care. Please continue necessary medical treatment and receive the prayer as spiritual support.
Yes. Byodoji reads each participant's name and intention in the main hall, and online participants may join through the livestream.
Yes. You may apply for multiple family members together.
Online participants do not need to prepare a cucumber. Byodoji prepares the cucumbers used in the prayer.
After the prayer, the cucumber is respectfully placed in clean earth within the temple grounds and is not eaten.
Byodoji offered the 2026 Kyuri Kaji in its main hall on Sunday, July 26, the summer Doyo no Ushi day.
Together with everyone who joined or applied, we prayed for health, recovery, and the well-being of their families.
