What is the ritual of becoming an adult, the 13th mairi? Crossing the Wataratsuki Bridge in Arashiyama without looking back

Don't look back.
The place where such voices can be heard is Wataratsuki Bridge in Arashiyama.
A father and mother are talking to their children. If you come across a scene like this, that parent and child are a family that has completed the "13th mairi.

What is jusan mairi?

The "Jusan mairi" is a custom handed down in Kyoto, Osaka, and other parts of the Kansai region, which has gradually spread to other areas, and recently the number of people who make the Jusan mairi has been increasing in Tokyo and other areas far from Kansai.
It is an event where children who have reached the age of 13 in their counting years (12 in their actual age) visit the shrine on March 13th of the lunar calendar (April 13th in the new calendar) to receive wisdom and good fortune.

It is said that the 13th visit to the temple began in the Heian period (794-1185). Emperor Seiwa, who was the emperor at that time, held his coming-of-age ceremony at Horinji Temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Nowadays, people visit the temple between mid-March and mid-May, around a month before and after the ceremony.

About Horinji Temple

In Kyoto, a well-known visit to Kokuzo Horinji Temple on Arashiyama is a visit to Kokuzo Bosatsu.
Kokuzo Bosatsu is the thirteenth bodhisattva to be born, and is said to be a bodhisattva that presides over "wisdom" and "good fortune". The temple has a long history, dating back to 713, when it was founded by Gyoki Bodhisattva at the behest of Emperor Gemyo. In "The Pillow Book" written by Sei Shonagon, it is mentioned as one of the representative temples in Kyoto, and the blessings of its principal image appear in Konjaku Monogatari (Tales of Ancient and Modern Japan).

Passing through the gate and up the stone steps, you will find "Dendengu," a shrine that protects electricity and radio waves. Further up the stone steps, the main hall can be seen in front of the temple, and to the left is a pagoda. On the right side, there is a viewing platform called "Butai (stage)" from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of Watarigetsukyo Bridge, Sagano, the Higashiyama mountains, and Kyoto City.

What to do at the thirteenth visit?

At the time of the visit, children write one kanji character that represents what they wish to receive, such as "friend," "wise," "wisdom," "beauty," etc., on a special paper with a brush. If you were to write one, what would you write? It is fun to think about it, isn't it?

And the rule that must be followed after visiting the shrine has to do with the scene on the Watarigatsu Bridge mentioned earlier.
That is, when crossing the Watarigatsu Bridge after the 13th mairi, do not look back until you have crossed the bridge.
Children cross the bridge with a tense look on their faces, for the legend says that if they turn around, they will lose the wisdom they have been given. If you walk along the Watarigatsu Bridge in the coming season, you may see children dressed in their traditional "Harematsu" (ceremonial dress).

Facility name: Horinji Temple (also known as Saga no Kokuzo-san)
Address: Arashiyama-Kuramaizozan-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 616-0006, Japan
Phone: 075-862-0013
Access:
15 min. walk from Arashiyama Sta. on the Randen Line
20 min. walk from Saga-Arashiyama Sta. on JR Line
5 min. walk from "Arashiyama" station of Hankyu Railway
5 min. walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Sta. on Kyoto Bus (routes 62, 63, 66, 72, 73, 76, 83, 90, 92, 94)

HP:https://www.kokuzohourinji.com