Shibarare Jizo Nawatoki Kuyo (Bound Jizo Rope-Untying Memorial Service)

About this event

Held every New Year's Eve at Nanzo-in Temple in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, the 'Shibarare Jizo Nawatoki Kuyo' (Rope-Untying Memorial Service for the Bound Jizo) is an event of unique faith originating from an Edo-period historical episode where the renowned magistrate Ooka Echizen-no-Kami adjudicated a bolt-of-cloth theft case by binding the Jizo statue with rope to interrogate it, placing blame on it for failing to prevent the theft. A religious ritual is held in the middle of the night on New Year's Eve to untie the ropes from the Jizo statue, which has been bound with ropes for an entire year, bustling with many worshippers. On this day, the 'Musubi Daruma Fair' is also held with stalls lined up in the temple grounds selling auspicious daruma dolls, bustling with people seeking lucky charms for the new year. Additionally, visitors can purchase a 'prayer rope' for 100 yen each and newly bind the Jizo statue while focusing on their wishes, which is believed to bring blessings such as theft prevention, stopping someone in their tracks (severing bad relationships), and matchmaking. On New Year's Eve, the gates remain open later than usual, bustling with visitors who come for both the year-end and Hatsumode (first shrine/temple visit of the year), making it a traditional event that enlivens New Year's Eve in Katsushika Ward.

Venue

Nanzo-in Temple

Nanzo-in, 2-28-25 Higashimizumoto, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-0033