The 2026 Kyuri Kaji has concluded
Thank you to everyone who joined us and entrusted their prayers to Byodoji this year.
Doyo no Ushi days in 2027
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.
Scenes from the 2026 Kyuri Kaji
English Guide
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.
What is it?
A cucumber is blessed as a ritual support for entrusting illness and misfortune, and prayers are offered to Yakushi Nyorai for health and safety.
Can I join online?
Yes. For online participants, Byodoji reads each name and prayer intention aloud in the main hall during the rite.
Medical care
Please continue any medical diagnosis, treatment, and daily health management. Kyuri Kaji is offered alongside them as a prayer to the Buddha for your well-being.
Date and time
The service was held from 1:00 p.m. JST on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and lasted about two hours.
Kyuri Kaji at a Glance
What happens?
Names and prayer intentions are read aloud, and a cucumber, to which illness and misfortune are entrusted, is blessed. After the blessing, the cucumber is returned to the earth.
When?
The 2026 service was held on Sunday, July 26, the Doyo no Ushi day, from 1:00 p.m. JST, and lasted about two hours.
What can I pray for?
You may apply with prayers for yourself or your family, such as recovery from illness, continued health, or family safety.
How to join?
Apply online or at the temple office. Online participants may join the service by livestream.
Basic Information
- Duration
- About 2 hours
- Prayer fee
- 1,000 JPY
- Main deity
- Yakushi Nyorai
- Place
- Byodoji, Shikoku Pilgrimage Temple 22
- Reception
- Temple office or online
- Main intentions
- Recovery from illness, continued health, family safety
What Is Kyuri Kaji?
The summer Doyo falls in the hottest part of the year. At Byodoji, Kyuri Kaji is offered as a prayer for the health 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, the tradition of its transmission by Kobo Daishi, its sources, and the Shingon teaching of the three mysteries.The Five Steps of Kyuri Kaji
Submit your name and prayer intention
At the temple office or online, write your name and prayer intention and make your offering. Byodoji prepares a dedicated talisman for the Kyuri Kaji rite.
Bless the cucumber
Before Yakushi Nyorai, the officiating priest forms mudras and recites mantras. This is sanmitsu kaji, the practice of the three mysteries, performed so that the participant and the cucumber respond to each other.
Place the talisman inside
Tokkosho is a Buddhist ritual implement used to make a small opening in the cucumber. The participant's talisman is placed inside, with prayers for recovery from illness and continued health.
Touch the body
If you attend in person, stroke the part of your body that troubles you three times with the blessed cucumber. For online applicants, Byodoji reads each name and prayer intention aloud during the rite.
Return it to the earth
After the blessing, the cucumber is placed in clean earth within the temple grounds. As it returns to the earth, we pray that illness and misfortune will leave as well.
Prayers You May Entrust to Byodoji's Kyuri Kaji
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.
Recovery and continued health
Pray for recovery from illness, a safe operation, health, and longevity for yourself or family members.
Protection and good fortune
Pray for protection from misfortune, road safety, and safety in everyday life.
Family safety and health
Pray for family members living far away and for peaceful days at home.
Fulfillment and peace of mind
Pray for a heartfelt wish to be fulfilled and for a calm, peaceful mind.
You may apply while continuing medical care and health management
Please continue your medical diagnosis, treatment, and daily health management. Alongside them, you may apply for this prayer to the Buddha for your own safety and that of your family.
Kyuri Kaji, Said to Have Been Transmitted by Kobo Daishi
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 substitute for the body; a talisman is placed inside, mantras are recited, and the cucumber is blessed. Byodoji carefully performs these actions as an esoteric Buddhist kaji rite.
Kyuri Kaji 2026
The 2026 Kyuri Kaji has concluded. Thank you to everyone who joined us and entrusted their prayers to Byodoji.
Summer Doyo 2026
Kyuri Kaji
Byodoji performed this kaji prayer, said to have been transmitted by Kobo Daishi, in its main hall.
- Duration
- About 2 hours
- Principal deity
- Yakushi Nyorai
Applications for the 2026 Kyuri Kaji are now closed.
Learn more
The meaning and history of Kyuri Kaji
An in-depth article on the meaning of kaji, the tradition of its transmission by Kobo Daishi, primary sources, and the three mysteries.
Kyuri Kaji across Japan
A directory of temples, from Hokkaido to Hawaii, that continue Kyuri Kaji and kyuri fuji.
Kyuri Kaji Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Kyuri Kaji.
Yes. You may apply with a prayer for the health of yourself or your family. No special ritual knowledge is required.
Yes. Please continue your medical diagnosis, treatment, and daily health management. Alongside them, you may receive this as a prayer to the Buddha for your safety and that of your family.
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 that you and your families may stay free from illness.