The story of "Metsuna" at Higashi Honganji Temple, Kyoto (mid-Edo period)

The story of "Metsuna" at Higashi Honganji Temple, Kyoto (mid-Edo period)

Higashi Honganji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. A single "hair rope" was woven to support the magnificent temple complex. In the middle of the Edo period, as the restoration of this great temple was underway, the story of people's faith in the temple deeply moved the viewer.

In the villages of Hokuriku, devout women cut off their own hair and offered it to the temple. Their devotion to the Buddha prevailed over any hesitation at the thought of losing their hair, and this is a testament to the purity of their faith. Thus, the hair rope made of woven human hair was completed and ready to lift the ridgepole high into the sky.

However, the first attempt failed miserably. The rope from which the ridgepole was suspended snapped under the strain of the tension. The workers were discouraged, and the believers prayed. Nevertheless, this ordeal did not divide the people. Instead, their unity became even stronger.

The power of faith overcomes trials."

To make the hair rope for the challenge again, the craftsmen devised a new method. They succeeded in increasing the strength of the rope by adding a natural material, grass hill, instead of only human hair. A lot of time and effort and wisdom went into this. The new hair rope successfully fulfilled the heavy responsibility of lifting the ridgepole.

Faith connects people and weaves the future."

The success of the Moutuna was not merely a triumph of building technology. It was a miracle achieved through the combined faith of the believers and the skill of the craftsmen. The hair rope, which took shape in a magnificent manner, was the result of the combined power of the community over the personal sacrifice of cutting hair. It became a symbol of hope that has been handed down through time, uniting people with an invisible bond.

Scenery of the times

In the mid-Edo period, temples were not merely religious institutions, but were central to local communities. This was a time when faith supported people's daily lives and gave them the strength to overcome difficulties. The restoration of temples was not just a building project, but also a place where the bonds and faith of the local community were put to the test.

Higashi Honganji Temple rises into the sky of Kyoto. Behind the temple was countless prayers, sweat, and unity through faith. A single hair rope tells the story of the greatness of faith that transcends human power.