Asakusa Shrine
Asakusa Shrine was founded in 628 when two
brother, Hamanari and Takenari fished a Buddhist statue out of the Sumida River
while fishing. The local chieftain took this as a sign, began to practice
Buddhism in earnest, and founded the Sensoji Temple on the spot. The Asakusa
shrine complex grew from these simple beginnings, and now the site houses
numerous temples. The photo to the left shows the main entrance to the Askasusa
complex, through the Kaminari-mon Gate, the photo to the left shows an
interior view of that entrance. The Kaminari-mon
gate leads to
Nakamise
street, a bustling venue with shops on both sides, forming an entryway to the
Kannondo Temple. The photo to the bottom left is a shot of Nakamise Street,
looking back toward the Kaminari-mon gate. Midway between the gate and
the Kannondo Temple is a large urn, shown in the photo to the lower
right. The urn contains ashes, and is used to burn paper wishes. The wishes are
purchased at the temple, and then committed to the urn while praying fervently
that the wish be granted or avoided. Part of the process involves inhaling the
smoke
the
heart of the Asakusa complex is the Kannondo Temple, shown in the photo to the
left. Entrance to the temple is made through the Hozo Mon Gate, which
resembles the Kaminari-mon gate in structure, although a bit larger and
more ornate. The gate was once referred to as the Nio Mon Gate
because the statues of Nio, the Guardian diety of the Buddha, are installed on
the right and left side of the gate, as well as paper lanterns dedicated by the
local fisher markets in gratitude to Tokugawa Ieyasu. (photo to the right). Moving inward from the
Nio Mon gate, is the
Kannondo Hall or Asakusa
Kannon.
There is a public area and the inner Asakusa-Jingu. The photo at the
lower left shows people in the outer area making wishes and pitching coins for
good luck. The photo at the bottom left give a glimpse of the inner shrine.
There are in fact three shrines in the middle, main, and outer hall, and they
are transported on the backs of worshippers during the Shanja Festival.
There
are other temple temples more on the periphery of the complex. The photo to the
right shows Dempo-in (priest's residence) and Goju-no-To, the
Five Story Pagoda, another center of worship. The pagoda contains the ashes and memorial
tablet of the Buddha, while the Denpoin Temple refers to the main temple of the
Sensoji Temple, and was a study and library for priests. The photo to the right
shows the Torii gate that leads to the original Asakusa Temple. It is named
after a priest who rebuilt the temple.
Here is a list of some of the other shrines found in the Asakusa complex
Komagatado Temple: birthplace of the Sensoji temple, built on the spot where the Buddha was fished from the Sumida River
Yogodo Hall: built as memorial to Saint Jikaku, who rebuilt the Sensoji Temple
Yakushido Shrine: subordinate shrine build in Hosangen style
Awashimado Temple: commemorates those who hand-copied the sudra, and also features a tower for peace
Iizuko Jizo Hall: a hall for praying for prosperity; old coins are buried there
Chingodo Shrine: dedicated to guardian diety of Denpoin temple, the racoon dog, who guard the shrine
Bentensan: standing on a small hill, the goddess of this hall is called the Rojo Benten or old goddess because of her gray hair
Matsuchiyama Shoten: on the bank of the Sumida River
Henjoin/Daikannonji Temple: branch temples of Sensoji Temple. Henjoin Temple is in the 6th block of Asakusa, while in the Daikonnonji Temple the head of the image of Buddha of Shokannon made of Iron is installed as a principle image
The
photo to the left shows the Nite-mon Gate, the Shogun's entrance to the
temple. This gate is on the east side of the Kannondo Hall.
VIRTUAL VISIONS:
Although we do not use any images or video that require a plug-in for the purposes of speed and simplicity (most people really get annoyed by having to interrupt their viewing to download a plug-in), there are some spectacular sites that feature them. Here is a link to a site that really provide those of you with QuickTime installed (or who are willing to install it) with an amazingly "you are there" tour of the Asakusa Shrine.
Click here to see a panorama of the Kaminari-mon gate, the entrance to the Asakusa Shrine