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Buddhist Fire Ritual in Japan
b MadhaviKolhatkar
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MusashiTachikawa
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NationalMuseumofEthnology
Osaka
2012

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I Preface I
Preface
MadhaviKolhatkar
MusashiTachikawa
This is an attempt not to presentthe Japanese FireRitual in general butonly that
which is performed according to Chisan branch ofthe Shingon sect. In 1980, the late
Professor Rev.YUsh6 Miyasaka laid the foundation stone of this project, when
accepting the requestofMusashi Tachikawa, he performed the Buddhist ShingonFire
Ritual or Gama as it is called in Japanese. At that time, all the Mudras, an important
feature ofthe Tantric ritual weredoneunderthe robe. Hencefor betterunderstanding,
he madethem separately after theperformancewas over. On29thOctober 1982,again
honouringtherequestofTachikawa,heperformedtheritualoftheFireOfferingsto the
God Fudo Myoo 'Acala Vidyaraja', this time making the Mudras openly. This
performance could be filmed by the able team of National Museum of Ethnology,
Osaka, Japan (,Kokuritsu Minzokugaku Hakubutsukan' in Japanese and popularly
more well known as Minpaku), since Musashi Tachikawa was a Co-appointed
Professor (KyakuinKyoju) at Minpaku. A monograph on Gomawith 92 photographs,
their explanation in Japanese language and a brief introduction to the ritual was
publishedby Tachikawa,E. Kuwamuraand A. Yamadeunderthetitle"Hude Gamano
Kiroku"pp. 48,inSa,!,bha,ii 8, theNagoyaUniversityJournal,November1986.
The seed ofthis presentventure was sown when Madhavi Kolhatkar was invited
by Musashi Tachikawa to Minpakufor three months (from 21st January to 29th April
2003). It was at that time that Mrs. Mari Hattori very meticulously translated the brief
Japanese annotations to the 92 photographs published in the 48 pages monograph in
Sa,!,bhii,ii, 1986. Further, the book THE TANTRIC RITUAL OFJAPAN (FEEDING
THE GODS: THE SHINGONFIRE RITUAL) by Richard Paynebecame like the Old
Testament to liS. He has described, init, the ritual inminutedetails and in a very clear
and picturesque way and has explained even the difficult topics likeMudra:; in a very
simple,easyand lucidstyle. It is due to his workthatourtaskbecamefar lessdifficult.
At times, there were differences in the traditions which gave rise to various doubts in
our mind. Atsuch times we were immenselyfortunate to availofthe able guidance of
Rev. Ylik6 Miyasaka, a sonofthe late Rev. Ylish6Miyasaka.Also, hewas gracious to
allowus to take additionalphotographsofsomeoftheMudras in2011.
In the process oftaking photos, making a film, finalizing and completing the text
and bringing it to the book fOnTI, valuable help was volunteered and offered by the
students ofthe NagoyaUniversity, the staffofMinpaku office, computer division and
library,Mrs. SatokoSuzuki,Mr.TakeshiKameyama,Mrs. ChiekoKameyamaan,d Ms.
Junko Koguchi. The creditfrom the inception to the completion ofthis projectgoes to
all these.

The project would not have taken this final shape and seen the light of the day,
without the expediting leadership of Dr. Yasuhiko Nagano, Professor Emeritus of
Minpaku, and moreover, a friend and solace of Tachikawa. It was his invitation to
Kolhatkar to Minpaku for a year (from 1st August 2010 to 30th July 2011), which made
possible for her to come to Japan and his incomparable administrative competence
which empowered us to complete this project. He has been immensely helpful in the
Kalastidhyaya of this Goma.
We are indebted to all these and also all others who were of help to us in
completing this work. We will always cherish the memories of their valuable role with
deep sense of gratitude.
ii

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CONTENTS
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Preface i
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Introduction 1
'ith List of Figures 17
Chapter I The Environment, the Paraphernalia and the Priests 25
Chapter II The Preparatory Rites of the Fud6 Goma 51
Chapter III Main Ritual III
Bibliography 175
Index of the Mantras 177
Word Index 187
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