Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

This temple is the head temple of the Shingon Risshu sect, located in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture. Its principal deity is Fudo Myoo (Acala), a statue said to have been carved and consecrated by Kobo Daishi Kukai himself. According to tradition, in 940 CE (Tenpyo 3), the Grand Priest Kanchou, acting on an imperial decree from Emperor Saga to quell the Hei no Tamakage Rebellion, performed a Goma (fire ritual) with the Fudo Myoo statue created by Kukai. The rebellion was pacified, and because the statue could no longer be moved, the temple was founded at this site. During the Edo period, it received strong devotion from the Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro I, leading to the creation of the stage name 'Naraya.' It was widely worshipped by Edo commoners as 'Narita no Fudo-sama.' Today, it is renowned as a fundamental dojo for prayers for traffic safety and warding off misfortune, boasting one of the largest numbers of Hatsumode (New Year's first shrine/temple visit) worshippers in Japan.