Nanakusa Rice Porridge Gathering at Sozen-ji Temple

At Sozen-ji Temple in Kiryu, Gunma, a "nanakusa porridge gathering" is held every January 7, 6:00-8:00 am. It builds on a morning porridge rite (zazen meeting) the temple has held on the 1st of every month since 1973, moved to the 7th in January because the 1st through 3rd fall within the New Year holidays. Thanks to favorable local conditions where all seven herbs can be gathered nearby, the temple began offering nanakusa porridge to visitors. On the day, a village elder dresses formally and chops the seven herbs while chanting a traditional verse, offering them before the altar; eating the resulting porridge is said to bring good health through the year, and anyone may receive a serving. Those wishing to request a prayer (prayer tablet, protective arrow, and porridge) must apply before the end of the preceding year.