The principal object of worship at Tada-ji is Bhaisajyaguru, a deity able to cure all ills. Rather than being gaudy and decorative, the simplicity of this statue points to its long history. If you take a closer look, you will notice that the color around the eyes has started to change. Why is this? It is said that the Bhaisajyaguru of Tada-ji is able to cure vision issues, so many people touch the eyes of the statue when praying. Poor eyesight has always been something that people suffered from, so it’s safe to assume many would come here to pray.

The real treasure of Tada-ji is something that you might not have noticed — the Tadagatake Mountain Range, which lies right in front of the temple. When you look at the range from the ocean, it is just as picturesque and symbolic as Mt. Fuji. People have worshiped the mountain god Onyu Myojin for many years. So how did Onyu Myojin become known as the god of the mountain? Water, the origin of all life, flows down from Tadagadake. The mountain became a holy symbol and this shrine was built at its foot in order to protect that holy space. Even with the influence of Buddhism, this hasn’t changed and many important cultural landmarks are gathered in this area.

Tada-ji, which got its name from the Tadagadake range, is said to be one of the oldest temples in the Wakasa area. The waters of that mountain alongside Onyu Myojin have continued to support the people of Wakasa over the years. That is most likely why the story of the water-sending ritual has been passed down over the generations.

So, why have the treasures of Wakasa been preserved over all these years? There is another reason that lies in our stories. The faith that centered around Onyu Myojin and the Tadagadake mountains has continued on, even through the influence of Buddhism, and still plays an important role in this region. The water of that mountain god has supported the life of Wakasa. Perhaps that is why the story of the water-sending ceremony has been passed down to the present day.