These are various spiritual amulets and stamp books for sale outside temple 4 (Kinshoji). This temple is of the Soto religious sect, and the Kannon worshipped there is of the Juichimen, or eleven-headed variety. The keynote feature of this temple is the Mother Kannon resembling the Virgin Mary and 1300 other stone Buddha statues. The “Virgin Mary” Kannon is represented on a few of these books and ornaments sold in the picture. The “Virgin Mary” Kannon is much like the bodhisattva Guanyin in that she is the spiritual manifestation of Kannon exemplifying compassion. The “Virgin Mary” Kannon in this context gives protection to mothers and children, especially during childbirth. There are many of these stamp books and likely prayer books in this picture, some bearing the image of the “Virgin Mary” Kannon, and on the bottom left there are some painted wood ornaments, with some omamori on the far left. Stamp books and journals are very good ways to document ones journey and are very meaningful and specific to the temple. Since this temple venerates the Mother Kannon, we would infer that the majority of omamori, and iconography and prayers on stamp books would venerate and bless mothers and children.

Photograph 4