Before we get to Ofuna Kannon, as you are making your way to the stair area, there are a few things you will come into contact.
One is the Ema area. Ema is the small wooden plaques in which Shinto and Buddhist worshippers write their prayers or wishes. The Ema are left hanging up at the shrine where kami (spirits of gods) are believed to receive them.
Part of the purpose of me doing an Ema is to put my wish for a friend who lost her husband and I felt the need to do this for her and her family.
And next to the Ema are the O-mikuji, random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto Shrines and Buddhist temples.
The papers are scrolled up, and you unroll it to reveal your fortune. If it’s good, you tie it to the tree or wires, so that the fortune has a great effect. You can keep it for luck.
Right by the Ema section is a small shop where you can purchase a few items such as a miniature ofuna kannon, beads and more. But you can purchase the Ema here.
You will see more rocks with signs.
The bell area…
And like at most shrine areas, you will find a chozuya/temizuya.
I have my thoughts on this, which you can read here.
And if you thought you were high up when you arrived near the entrance, you can see how much higher being at the top area.
I’ll be back tomorrow for more of my coverage at Ofuna Kannon in Kamakura.
