Never Forgetting Gratitude… Insights Gained by Hidehiko Ishizuka of “Honjama-ka” from the “Blue Buddha” He Encountered in Yoshino, Nara

Wanting to Meet the “Blue Buddha”

Hello, everyone. If someone asked me, “What’s the kanji you hate the most in the world?” I’d answer, “暑” (hot). I’m Hidehiko Ishizuka.

Now, in this post, I’d like to write about a place that’s special to me.

Have any of you ever seen the “Blue Buddha” that appeared in the Yoshino edition of the JR TV commercial? My family and I watched that clip together, and it left a deep impression on me. Ever since then, for some reason, my wife has been calling that Buddha the “Blue Man.”

I absolutely had to see it for myself—after doing some research, I discovered that this “Blue Buddha” is actually “Kongō Zao Daigongen,” enshrined at Kinpusen-ji Temple in the mountains of Yoshino, Nara Prefecture.

I also learned that the “Blue Buddha” consists of three figures—Shakyamuni Buddha, the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Kannon Bodhisattva, and Maitreya Bodhisattva—and that the blue color is said to come from the natural stone lapis lazuli.

You can’t see the Buddha anytime you want; you can only view it twice a year, during the special public viewings. My family and I coordinated our schedules and promised to go together, but the next day, my wife told me, “I’m going to see it with my friends.” That’s just how promises go.

When my wife returned from Nara and I asked, “How was the ‘Blue One’?” she simply replied, “It was amazing.” That’s less detailed than a report written by an elementary school student.

My wife also mentioned that she had visited “Nōten Ōkami,” the guardian deity of the mind. Apparently, he resides about 500 steps down from the Zōjō-dō Hall at Kinpusen-ji Temple. Since my wife had suffered a stroke in the past, she probably wanted to go.

Finally Facing the Buddha I’d Dreamed of

About two years later, we finally had the chance to visit Nara as a family. The public unveiling of the secret Buddha happened to coincide with my days off.My wife also said, “Since my recovery from the stroke is going well, I’d like to pay a visit to give thanks.” It was fall, but since I’d heard there were 500 steps leading up to the Noten-no-Ōkami Shrine, I packed a pair of overalls to change into and set off for Nara.

We took the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto Station and got off at Yoshino Station. Normally, you take the ropeway from Yoshino Station to Kinpusen-ji Temple, but that day, a car from our inn came to pick us up. My wife had booked “Yoshino-so Yukawaya,” the inn closest to Kinpusen-ji Temple.On the way, we enjoyed listening to the young owner’s stories about Yoshino, and before we knew it, we arrived at the inn. It wasn’t large by any means, but it was a warm and welcoming place with a homey atmosphere.

Since we wanted to return to the inn before dark, we left our suitcases in the room and set out right away. True to its reputation as the inn closest to Kinpusen-ji Temple, we reached the temple in just five minutes.

After bowing in respect, we entered the main hall, where the three statues of Kongō Zōō Daigongen—whom I had even dreamed of seeing—gazed down at the worshippers with stern expressions. They were completely different from any Buddhas I had ever encountered before.I was told that their stern expressions are meant to convey the message, “Wake up to change these violent times.” I felt as if all the blood in my body had been renewed.

Leaving the main hall, I headed toward the Nōten Ōkami shrine. Following the directional arrows, I made my way down the mountain bit by bit until I reached my destination. Giving thanks for my wife’s recovery, I clasped my hands together and said, “Thank you.”I feel like I’d forgotten how to feel gratitude these past few years. “I’m glad I came”—but that thought was fleeting; when I looked back, 500 steps were waiting for me. It was the first time I’d ever sweated this much outside of a punishment game on a TV show.

I encourage you all to visit Yoshino in Nara and try “refreshing your spirit.” Since you’ll work up a sweat climbing the stairs, you’ll need two pairs of overalls.

From the September 4, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*