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- Katsuo-ji English Guide
Founded in the 8th century, Katsuo-ji Temple has long been known as a "temple of victory" and a "temple of winning luck," and has been widely worshipped by farmers and merchants as well as the champions of the era, such as the Minamoto, Ashikaga, Toyotomi, and Tokugawa clans.
Today, the temple is crowded with worshippers from Japan and abroad who seek "winning luck" in all aspects of life, including work, business, examinations, illness, sports, arts, elections, interpersonal relationships, and romance.
Many visitors to Katsuo-ji Temple make a wish on the "Kachi-Daruma", which can only be received at Katsuo-ji Temple, with its distinctive design of a large "Kachi" written on the belly.
It is the custom at Katsuo-ji to put one eye in when making a wish, and when the wish is fulfilled, to put the other eye in and report it to the temple for dedication.
Kachi-Daruma
（Winning Daruma）
Katsuo-ji’s Daruma is not a wish-granting entity; by writing your wish and putting one eye in it, you are signing a self-commitment to “face yourself and overcome your weak heart.” Your wish will only come true if you spend each day with no regrets and do your best to achieve that wish.
Filling in the Eyes
of a Kachi-Daruma
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1.Select your winning Kachi-Daruma
Choose a Kachi-Daruma that you feel particularly drawn to.
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2.Specify your goals
[Immediate goal] Write the immediate goal you would like to achieve over the next year on the back of the Kachi-Daruma.
[Overall goal] Write an overall life goal-from which the immediate goal stems - on the bottom of the Kachi-Daruma. -
3.Offer your thanks
Take a few incense sticks, and focus your prayers on the people or things related to your goal.
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4.Bathe the Kachi-Daruma in incense
Bathe the Kachi-Daruma in the smoke of the incense, which is now the transcended form of your prayers.
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5.Commit yourself to your goal(by filling in one eye)
Vow that you will make no compromise and spare no effort in achieving your immediate goal, and then fill in the Kachi-Daruma's right eye(on your left when facing the Kachi-Daruma).
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6.Complete the Kachi-Daruma(by achieving your goal)
After you have achieved your goal, fill in the Kachi-Daruma's left eye (on your right when facing the Kachi-Daruma) as proof of your achievement.
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7.Report your achievement and dedicate your Kachi-Daruma
After reporting on your achievement at the main hall, and after offering your feelings of appreciation, dedicate your Kachi-Daruma to the temple by placing it on the special dedication shelf.
Daruma-Mikuji
(Fortune Telling)
64 Oracle Daruma Mikuji (Sixty-four Trigrams Daruma Fortune Slip) is a form of fortune-telling available only at Katsuo-ji Temple. It is based on the ancient Chinese divination system called Yi Jing (I Ching), which was historically used to determine important policies and decisions. It is founded on the belief that all phenomena and beings in the universe are in a state of perfect balance between two opposing forces, Yin (-) and Yang (+), and that these forces also act on human beings without exception.
The term gua (trigram) refers to a "pattern" of natural harmony, represented by the eight combinations formed by the three-tiered structure of the two signs of Yin and Yang. These combinations are called bagua, and by combining two bagua—one placed above and the other below—a total of 64 hexagrams or 64 unique patterns can be created. The "sixty-four trigrams" are formed by combining these two bagua.
64 Oracle Daruma Mikuji does not indicate good or bad luck. When divining—a process of seeking guidance or insight through the oracle—the individual must focus on only one matter before choosing a fortune slip. While you can draw as many fortune slips as you wish, you can only perform the divination once a year.
The oracle you select contains important words of guidance for your present self, and you must personally interpret the "true meaning of the oracle's words." Take the time to read and understand the fortune’s message.
You only live once; there is no second life. May this day be a wonderful one for all of you.
What will you divine about?
● Work
● Business
● Sports
● Academics
● Love
● Arts
● Health
● Relationships
● Other specific matters
How to make a
Daruma-Mikuji
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1. Select one daruma while thinking of one thing you want to know.
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2. Each daruma has a mikuji written on it with words of guidance for you.
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3. Read the words of guidance and move forward to a better tomorrow.
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4. Daruma may be placed anywhere on the temple grounds or taken home.
Various ways to enjoy
Katsuo-ji
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Kachi-Daruma
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Daruma-Mikuji
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Daruma Stained Grass with Face cutout
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Funny souvenirs
Opening Hours
(Admission ends 30 minutes before closing)
| Weekdays | 8:00am to 5:00pm |
|---|---|
| Saturdays | 8:00am to 6:00pm |
| Sundays and holidays | 8:00am to 5:00pm |
| Night Light-up Days | 8:00am to 8:30pm |
Admission Fees
Life is like an hourglass. From the moment we are born into this world, the “sand of life” continues to fall.
In order to make the most of your precious time and to make your visit to the temple more fulfilling, we recommend that you enter the temple with a web ticket so that you do not have to wait in line at the ticket office.
Please take advantage of this service.
| High school students and above | 500 Yen |
|---|---|
| Elementary and junior high school students |
400 Yen |
| Preschooler | 100 Yen |
| Under 2 years old | Free |
Route Map
Access by train
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From Around Osaka st.
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From Shin-Osaka st.
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From Kansai Airpot
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From Osaka Airpot
Sightseeing spots around Katsuo-ji
English Audio Guide
“Okou”or Incense
Daruma