The Ikemen Temple of Tsubame

 

A Temple with a 1,300-Year Legacy: Nestled in the heart of Niigata Prefecture's Tsubame City, Kokujoji Temple stands as a testament to Japan's enduring spiritual traditions. Originally constructed over 1,300 years ago, Kokujoji has long been a place of prayer for family well-being, marital harmony, safe childbirth, recovery from illness, and protection in both daily life and the workplace. Throughout the centuries, its role has evolved alongside the community, adapting to the needs of both locals and pilgrims alike. The artwork displayed at Kokujoji Temple, notably 2019-current (last checked 2023), was created by contemporary Japanese artist Ryoko Kimura. Kimura is known for her provocative interpretations of classical Japanese art, often incorporating themes of erotica and challenging traditional artistic conventions, which made many blogs cover the amazing temple artwork.

"I was impressed by the chief priest's passion to "do something about the trend of young people turning away from temples" and his words that he wanted me to "take on the challenge with confidence," so I decided to accept the offer". -Ryoko Kimura, Artist

From Samurai Prayers to Modern Day Pilgrimages: During Japan's Sengoku Jidai (Warring States Period), the temple held deep significance for the legendary daimyo Uesugi Kenshin, who is said to have prayed at Kokujoji for victory and clarity in battle. For him and many others, the temple represented a place not only for worship but for spiritual self-reflection. Over time, this reputation extended into more personal concerns, turning Kokujoji into a sacred destination for prayers involving childbirth, parenting, and safe home life. There are many shrines and temples scattered across Niigata, and each of them might have their old appeal to those who have been going for many years, especially for Rekishi and Rekijo who are obsessed with history and local culture. and visit or foreigners to come is a challenge as not all are attracted to such sites as a destination, mostly because it seems irrelevant.

Hidden in Tsubame's Metalworking District: Today, Kokujoji sits amid Tsubame's renowned metalworking neighborhood—an area celebrated for its artisan-made cutlery, cookware, and fine metal crafts. Visitors often come to shop for premium housewares or attend cooking workshops, but the temple offers a escape from the factory and retail streets, inviting both the spiritually curious and culturally adventurous to explore its tranquil grounds. If you're wondering why Kokujoji is a destination for Fujoshi, well, much of it has to be how it has embraced fujoshi culture despite being over 1000 years old.

The "Ikemen Temple" Phenomenon: In an unexpected twist, Kokujoji has found new life among Japan's fujoshi community—fans of 'Boys' Love' (BL) media and handsome male characters. Thanks to the popular anime series "Sengoku Basara," which reimagines historical figures like Uesugi Kenshin as stylish, heroic "ikemen" (handsome men), the temple has become a pilgrimage site for anime fans seeking blessings not only for themselves but also for their future relationships and personal growth. This playful and modern cultural overlay has given Kokujoji its nickname: "The Ikemen Temple". For travelling Anime and Manga Otaku, Kokujoji has become a sacred place for fujoshi and fudanshi anime fans who wish protection of themselves and in search of a protective partner for a protected future family.

"While idol otaku have Kanda Myojin, we have Kokujoji. I hope that it can connect anime fans from series like Given from Kizu Natsuki." -Manami

Cultural Preservation Meets Contemporary Relevance: The growing attention from fujoshi, rekijo (female history buffs), and overseas otaku has sparked both excitement and debate. As the Tsubame City Board of Education re-evaluates the temple's status as a cultural property, a crucial question arises: How can a centuries-old site remain historically authentic while staying relevant to younger generations? Despite initial controversy and criticism from local authorities over the lack of prior approval, the temple's head priest, Kotetsu Yamada, defended the installation, emphasizing the importance of engaging younger generations for the temple's survival. 

"Even overseas fujoshi have shown a large passion in wanting to support the temple with donations as well as see further developments of the temple to become larger, see it with restorations, and embrace the ikemen lovers in otaku culture. It has been added to a site The temple though must be careful as it was being re-evaluated as a cultural property by the Tsubame City Board of Education. As many things in Niigata there must be a harmony of Asking the question on how to keep it Culturally Historic and Currently Relevant to people of all-age groups and not just Rekishi, Traditionalists, and History Interested." -Fujoshi Tourist

Discussing the Experience: Kokujoji has been the topic of otaku culture as a place of much potential to create a connection of the past with the present and to be reflective of its modern day surrounding neighborhood of Tsubame City. A suggestion would be during a low- traffic time of year, the shrine hosts an ikemen-themed festival or Matsuri. It would have many of the same elements a traditional festival at any shrine would have, but with an an ikemen twist! Like the traditional bon dancing that is an essential part It would even be great if there was famous delinquent Vtuber “Kson” to cover the event. A resident from Tsubame had come to the temple and made a comment "There's no need to make such a fuss about it. Just leave it as it is". 

Discussion of purchases, it would be imagined to have plenty of snacks and other souvenirs to buy, with a target attendance of 40,000 people to come and celebrate together. There would also be collaborations with people in the Anime industry to have thematic takes of Niigata with Thematics could also be suggestions of clothing they recommended you to wear to your visit with Unique Niigata Kimonos as they become more distinct and characteristic of the region to support Niigata's Kimono industry.

As we said earlier, Kokujoji is already in a convenient location for knives and metal pots, but what might be missing is shops that are stuffed to the ceiling with figures, keychains, pins, stationary, plushies, and more of handsome characters. Also quite a few manufacturing factories, which could be potential in a plethora of butler cafes and other Tsubame history themed cafes, Niigata kimono shops, and doujinshi stores. ikemen sight-seeing on the busy main streets, before taking a break. That break would be to enjoy some peace and quiet at Kokujoji Temple while still appreciating its Ikemen significance.

"As the distance between temples and young people continues to grow, we feel that as the oldest temple in Echigo, we must take the lead in trying new things. The first step was the SNS memorial service, which we were able to hold, and we received a lot of feedback, and many young people are now actually visiting the temple". -Kotetsu Tamada, Head Priest

Otaku Tourism: Buying souvenirs came up as a way for people to remember their experience there. Visitors would be looking get something very traditional like omamori (good luck charms), ema (prayer boards), or omikuji (fortunes). The second group of people would be looking for Kokujoji omamori that you can't find just anywhere --Bishounen charms (Uta no Prince, Black Butler, and Inuyasha example), and even a blessings could be added like praying for success in Daycare and Child Development Fields! Such things would make that way it can be easy to purchase and give away as it shows that the Otaku Pilgrimage of Kokujoji can be crossed off the list of places to journey to.