Mama Kannon Temple (Ryuon-ji)

Mama Kannon Temple in Nagoya bursts with feminine energy and it’s easy to see why. Worshippers celebrate the sacred feminine here by adorning the temple with breasts of all shapes and sizes.

Mama Kannon Temple

Photo by: PIXTA/ ai

Breast motifs are everywhere, from the banisters to the breast-shaped offerings, each one honoring the diversity of the female form. Devotees dedicate these offerings to Mama Kannon, a compassionate embodiment of the Bodhisattva Kannon. At the temple’s center stands a statue of her, surrounded by those praying for support with breastfeeding, fertility and safe childbirth.

Origin Story

Photo by: Matthew Coslett

The temple’s origins trace back to a story of devotion and miraculous abundance. According to legend, a poor widow remained deeply devoted to Kannon Bodhisattva (a revered Buddhist figure known for compassion and mercy) even as she struggled to survive. Despite her hardship, she continued to offer portions of her limited food to the deity.

Kannon Bodhisattva, moved by her unwavering faith, blessed the woman with breasts that overflowed with milk. She nourished not only her own child but also the poor children in her neighborhood. Witnessing the miracle, locals built a statue in her honor and created the first Mama Kannon.

Modern Mama Kannon

Prior to its current location, generations of women used to climb Mount Komaki to visit the statue, seeking strength and blessings during motherhood. The tale was said to inspire the legendary warlord Oda Nobunaga, who had the temple relocated to its current site in Nagoya.

Mama Kannon continues to be a powerful reminder of the divine feminine in Japanese tradition. From miko (shrine maidens) to female-focused power spots, like Sefa Utaki in Okinawa, Japanese culture is filled with an appreciation of its special power, and perhaps nowhere is this stronger than Mama Kannon temple.