When boys and girls become 13, they visit "Kuroiwa Kokuzoson" to pray for their good health and love of learning. It's called "Jusan-mairi." It's also known as the god of cattle and tiger. This temple is dedicated to "Bosatsu-Sama" (Buddhist saint) and she is said to give people infinite knowledge, happiness and prosperity.
Today's Kuroiwa-Kokuzo-do was rebuilt by Zenbei Furukawa.

　On Feburuary 4, I visited Mangan-ji Temple with my daughter. It's located in Kuroiwa which is to the south from the central Fukushima. Mangan-ji is surrounded with woods, set far back from the road. This place is creating an atmosphere of festival, lighted by naked light bulbs. There were many stalls selling "Daruma"," Masaru," chicken kababs, grilled cuttle fish, "oden" (vegetable and Japanese-style fish cakes cooked in fish broth), candies, pan cakes and bananas with chocolate cream.

"The Ibonashi's bell"

　Mangan-ji temple is on a natural cliff. After we went through the temple gate, there is the main temple. The bell tower "Ibonashi bell " is next to the main temple. As we walk down a little, we come to the temple dedicated to the "Kannon"(the Goddess of Mercy). Ahead you see Kokuzo-son temple. In front of the Temple, there are two"Nade- Ushi" ( the sacred ox) and two"Nade-Tora" ( the sacred tiger).

　In the main temple, supporting members of the Temple were selling talismans. Six to seven bonzes were talking in the secluded room. This festival takes place all night long and it opened next morning.

　I bought a pentagonal votive picture tablet of a horse, hoping my children's passing the entrance exam.

"Kokugan-San Mangan-ji temple and Kuroiwa Kokuzoson-do"

　We're not sure about the date of the construction of this temple, but about 1500 years ago, the Emperor Saga built it for his men who would return in triumph to the capital. Today's Kokuzoson temple was rebuilt in 1634 by Sadakatsu Uesugi and Zenbei Furukawa.

"Kannon-do"

　Kozuke-no-suke Kira's wife, Osan, was a daughter of Sadakatsu Uesugi, who was the lord of Uesugi clan. When she went and returned between Edo and Yonezawa, she used to rest at Mangan-ji temple and she donated Kannon-Sama to the Temple. Kannon-do was built for the Kannon-Sama.