20 Omuro Ouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

The "cucumber-sealing" event is held each year around the day of doyo no ushi (day of the ox in midsummer).  The event is based on the tale of Kobodaishi, in which the main character writes out a prayer calling for relief from all pain, sicknesses and devilry.  He seals them in a cucumber so that all creatures may live long, healthy lives and die painlessly and in peace.
At the event, participants write their name, age, etc. on a cucumber that is then blessed by the resident priest.  This is placed on an afflicted area of the body before being buried in the ground or placed in a river.  It is said that the sickness will disappear as the cucumber returns to the soil.   Worshippers pay homage to the cucumber and pray for recovery from disease.