SENSOJI TEMPLE
Sensoji Temple Guide: Sensoji Temple pictures,
Sensoji Temple map and Sensoji Temple description.
Sensoji Temple (金龍山浅草寺, Kinryū-zan Sensōji) is an
ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa,
Taitō Ward, Tokyo. Sensoji Temple is sometimes
referred to as Asakusa Temple. Sensoji Temple is Tokyo's
oldest, and one of its most significant, temples. Formerly associated
with the Tendai sect, Sensoji Temple became independent after World War II.
Adjacent to Sensoji Temple is a Shinto shrine, the Asakusa Jinja.
Sensoji Temple
Sensoji Temple is the focus of Tokyo's
largest and most popular matsuri (Shinto festival). The festival takes place
over 3–4 days in late spring, and sees the surrounding streets closed to
traffic from dawn until late evening.
Hozomon Gate Sensoji Temple
Hozomon Gate contains the very famous and massive red paper lantern. Hozomon
Gate
is the gateway to the Sensoji Temple.
Hozomon Gate Sensoji Temple
Kaminari-mon
Dominating the entrance to the Sensoji Temple is the kaminari-mon
or "Thunder Gate". This imposing Buddhist structure features a massive paper
lantern dramatically painted in vivid red-and-black tones to suggest
thunderclouds and lightning. Kaminari-mon contains two protective deities -
(left side) Raijin - God of Thunder and (right side) Fujin - God of Wind.
Kaminari Gate Kaminarimon Sensoji Temple.
Within the precincts stand a stately five-story
pagoda and the main hall, devoted to Kannon Bosatsu.
Nakamise-dori
Nakamise-dori,
the street leading from the Thunder Gate to the Sensoji Temple itself, is lined with
small shops selling omiyage (souvenirs) ranging from fans, ukiyo-e
(woodblock prints), kimono and other robes, Buddhist scrolls, traditional
sweets, to Godzilla toys, t-shirts, and cell-phone trinkets. These shops
themselves are part of a living tradition of selling to pilgrims who walked
to Sensōji. Pilgrims and tourists flocking to Sensoji have shopped at
the small stores here for centuries. Many tourists, both Japanese and from
abroad, visit Sensōji every year. Catering to the visiting crowds, the
surrounding area has many traditional shops and eating places that feature
traditional dishes (hand-made noodles, sushi, tempura, etc.).
One of the shops along Nakamise-dori, Sensoji Temple
Asakusa Shrine
Asakusa Shrine (浅草神社, Asakusa Jinja) is a Shinto shrine
next to the Sensoji Temple. It is dedicated to the three men who established
Sensoji Temple.
Two of them, fishermen named Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari, found
a statue of the bosatsu Kannon in the river Sumida in 628. The third, the
village headman, Haji no Nakatomo, built Sensoji Temple.
Once a part of Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Jinja became separate during the Meiji
period.
Within the temple is a quiet contemplative garden kept in the distinctive
Japanese style.
See more than 65 photographs of the Sensoji Temple and
surrounds including the very beautiful garden in cherry blossom season.
(Article
based on
Wikipedia article and used under the
GNU Free Documentation License)
|
