Hoshi Matsuri (Star Festival) Prayer Service and Mamemaki (Bean Tossing) Ritual – February 15, 2026, at 1:30 pm

This year’s Hoshi Matsuri (Star Festival) Prayer Service and Mamemaki (Bean Tossing) Ritual will be held at the temple on Sunday, February 15th at 1:30 pm. The service will also be broadcast live via Zoom.

During the Hoshi Matsuri Prayer Service, we pray to the stars for a year of happiness and good fortune and to ward off misfortune. The stars represent the moon, sun, planets, comets, and constellations whose movements according to Japanese astrology influences our lives and determines our fortune.

To request a blessed omamori, please complete the Hoshi Matsuri application form and submit it to the Temple, or use this link to register online:

 

We will also be performing the Goma Fire Ritual and ceremonial burning of the Soe Gomagi (wooden wish-sticks). The Soe Gomagi with each person’s prayer/wish to the Buddha will be burned in the Goma fire as we pray for our wishes to come true. We also offer special edition paper omamori (for easy carrying) and wood ofuda talismans to keep at home.

If you wish to participate in the Goma Fire Ritual, please complete the Soe Gomagi form and submit to the Temple, OR use the links below to get your gomagi wish-sticks to cast into the fire, paper omamori, and wooden ofuda:

Please remit your application form(s) and either a check (payable to NC Koyasan Temple) or electronic payment through PayPal or Venmo through our Donate page no later than February 8, 2026.

If you combine the Hoshi Matsuri and Soe Gomagi donations, please designate the amount for each. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the Temple. The Mamemaki Ritual, which will be held following the service, is a traditional Japanese ritual to cleanse and drive away the demons of misfortune by throwing fuku mame (good luck beans) and inviting in good fortune by chanting “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi ” (demons of misfortune out, good fortune in).

Following the service, please join us in the Social Hall for a bowl of delicious ozoni (mochi soup), an opportunity to socialize with the sangha and pickup or purchase the blessed omamoris. Thank you in advance for your participation and support. We pray that you will have a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous year.

Find your Star in the chart below. You can click on the image to download a PDF version.

If you have any questions, please contact the Temple at (916) 444-0111.

Thank you for your continuing support. We pray that you will have a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous year in 2026.

Gassho,
Northern California Koyasan Temple