500-kg sandals headed for Tokyo’s Sensoji temple
Giant owaraji straw sandals have been newly made and will be dedicated to Sensoji temple in Taito Ward, Tokyo, on Sunday.
The owaraji are made once every 10 years or so, and represent hopes for peace. The latest sandals were primarily put together by residents of Murayama, Yamagata Prefecture, who have said they want to dedicate them to the people's health and safety.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The new owaraji are the eighth pair of their kind, and were made by residents of the Tateokaaramachi district of Murayama. About 4.5 meters long and about 1.5 meters wide, they weigh about 500 kilograms each. Evil is said to flee in fear at the sight of the owaraji, which depict the power of the Nio guardian statues at the Hozomon gate, believing that the wearer of the huge sandals guards the temple.
The owaraji tradition dates back to 1941, when Toshizo Matsuoka, a House of Representatives member from the city who had faith in the temple and was known for his devotion to helping people recover from snow-related damage, offered such straw sandals to the temple to pray for the safety of the country.
The seventh-generation owaraji are currently hung at the Hozomon gate, which is located on the way to the main hall after passing through the Kaminarimon gate with its enormous red lantern, well known among tourists from around the world.
On Sunday, about 200 people, including residents of Murayama, will carry the owaraji on their shoulders from the Denboin house, which is located on the west side of the Nakamise shopping avenue at the temple, to the Hozomon gate, where a dedication ceremony will be held.
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