KOTOHIRA, Kagawa Prefecture - A crowdfunding campaign by Kotohira-gu shrine in Kotohira had raised around 15 million in two weeks and collected more than 24 million by Friday.
The shrine asked for donations on February 1 to cover the costs of repairing tangible cultural properties, including partitions and wall paintings by Edo period painter Ito Jakuchu.
Along with messages of support, donations were received from various parts of the country. I am truly grateful. Yasuhiro Kotooka, chief priest of the shrine, said he gets a new sense of the obligation of his cultural properties.
The shrine used crowdfunding to cover the cost of repairs of Hyakka-zu Hundreds of flowers by Ito Jakuchu and Tachi Mei Sukezane sword signed Sukezane, both of which are tangible cultural properties of the prefecture, as it faced a difficult situation after the number of visitors fell due to the COVID 19 crisis.
The target amount of 15 million was reached on February 15.
On February 17, a ceremony was held in the shrine's main hall to report the success of the crowdfunding, which came in time for an annual ceremony held on the same day to pray for peace and a good harvest.
Kotooka prayed to report the success of the crowdfunding with the support of many people so that preservation and repair work can be carried out. A priest dedicated a performance to the gods.
We were able to achieve our funding target faster than expected. Kotooka said that they were delighted at the amount of interest and strongly realized that people sincerely hope that cultural properties will be preserved. My life is becoming increasingly difficult, and I am grateful for all I can do. The crowdfunding campaign continued through Friday. The amount of support exceeded 24 million, with the number of contributors being 528.
With the support of the shrine, I realize the history and tradition of the shrine, which has been loved by people as a shrine to visit at least once in a lifetime. Kotooka said that they will use the amount that exceeds the target for future cultural property restoration works.
The repaired Hyakka-zu will be displayed at the shrine from April 8 to June 11.