Matsu no Odera Temple

Matsu no Odera was established on Mt. Aoba in the early eighth century and is one of very few temples in Japan where the traditional Buddha Dance (hotokemai) is performed. Six dancers in gold masks and full robes represent Shakyamuni, Amida, and Dainichi Buddha before a live musical accompaniment of rare wind and percussion instruments. The dance, an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, is performed annually on May 8. The temple also holds a National Treasure: a twelfth-century painting of Fugen Enmei seated on a three-headed elephant. Artworks from the collection go on display for one month each spring and autumn.