Encounter Adorable Yokai – 18th Annual Hyakki Yagyo Exhibition at Kodai-ji Temple in 2023

Hyakki Yagyo Exhibition (百鬼夜行展, an Illustrated night parade of one hundred demons) has been a regular summer event at Kodai-ji Temple since 2006. You can enjoy watching the temple’s treasures of screen rolls and illustrations of demons and ghosts, as well as ghost lanterns in the main hall and precincts. In addition, it seems that there will be a trick by AR (Augmented reality) this year. Definitely go and meet these adorable Yokai.

Kodaiji-temple was founded in 1606 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s wife in order to pray for the repose of his soul. In the precincts, there is a Chisen Kaiyu-shiki garden (池泉回遊式庭園, a strolling garden with a pond) designated as a national historic site and a place of scenic beauty. Especially in autumn, many people visit to admire the vivid autumn leaves reflected in the pond. This temple holds events such as special visits and tea ceremonies throughout the year. Hyakki Yagyo Exhibition is one of the popular events in Kodaiji-temple, and it will be an 18-year anniversary this year.

This special exhibition displays 2 new and old picture scrolls of Hyakki Yagyo, Jigoku Tayu hanging scrolls drawn by Kyosai Kawanabe, an ukiyo-e artist who was active from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era. You can appreciate such rare pictures of Yokai. Furthermore, please pay attention to the ghost lanterns hanging in the main hall and precincts. The yokai depicted on the wall cutely makes us feel warm. Also, one of the highlights this year is an animation using AR. The yokai that jumped out of the building have become hidden in the precincts, creating an event that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Until August 18th, there is a special nighttime viewing that allows you to stroll around the precincts until 10:00 PM, providing an opportunity to encounter yokai in a more unique atmosphere.