Higan-e Chunichi Memorial Service

When spring and autumn higan periods come, on spring and autumnal equinox days which are the middle of each higan period, a memorial service for ancestors is held in the Kannondo Hall of Miidera Temple, the 14th post on Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. The Kannondo Hall enshrines a seated statue of Nyoirin Kannon which is normally kept hidden from public view. The Kannondo Hall was reportedly built to pray for the recovery of Emperor Go-sanjo from an illness. Generally botamochi and ohagi made from rice and sweet azuki beans are well known as offerings for spring and autumn higan periods, but currently red bean rice is given out in Miidera Temple. It is because when Emperor Go-sanjo passed away in 1073, red botamochi was made as an offering in the Higan-e memorial service, and later red bean rice with azuki beans was cooked to offer from the Edo Period [between the 17th and mid-19th centuries].