長龍寺

Long ago, a small dragon resided in a pond within the grounds of what would eventually become Choryuji Temple. Today, we stand before this very temple, known as Choryuji, or “Long Dragon Temple” in Japanese. Its unique roofline certainly catches the eye. Choryuji is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple nestled in the heart of Tokyo’s Suginami ward. Its history stretches back to 1593. It was originally founded by Mori Yoshinari’s retainer, Kawanobe Morinaga, in Yotsuya, a district now part of Shinjuku. Choryuji’s origins are rather humble. It began as a small temple within the Kawanobe family residence. The temple relocated to Ichigaya in 1616. This area is now part of Shinjuku as well. Choryuji truly flourished during the Edo period. The Kawanobe family, followed by numerous other samurai families, patronized the temple. These patrons, including the prominent Okawa, Matsudaira, and Yamanouchi clans, helped the temple expand its influence. During this period, Choryuji served as the bodhimandala, or main temple, for 76 other temples. Choryuji made another move in 1909. This time, it relocated to its present location in Koenji due to the expansion of the Rikugun Shikan Gakko, or Army War College. This move marked a significant chapter in the temple’s history. It cemented its place within the vibrant Koenji community. Choryuji houses a remarkable cultural asset, a wooden statue known as the Mamekusari Jizo Bosatsu. This statue, dating back to the mid-Edo period, holds a captivating legend. The statue depicts Jizo, a bodhisattva who protects children and travelers, in the guise of a young boy. He’s portrayed holding a small bag of azuki beans. Legend says that a Jizo statue transformed into a boy. The boy tried to buy azuki beans from a local shop using a single leaf as payment. The shopkeeper was startled by this unusual customer. A temple worker then chased and cut the boy’s ear. Later, they found the Jizo statue with a damaged ear, thus linking the statue to the strange encounter. Choryuji, with its distinctive architecture and captivating history, continues to serve as a spiritual sanctuary amidst the bustling metropolis of Tokyo.