Consider this: two brothers fishing in the Sumida River in 628. It sounds like the start of a fairy tale. But it is the foundational story of Senso-ji.
Welcome to Senso-ji. This is Tokyo’s oldest temple. It is a vibrant center of faith. Each year, 30 million people come here to worship.
The story begins early one morning. The brothers Hinokuma Hamanari and Takenari were fishing. They were surprised to find a statue in their net. It was Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. This is also known as Kannon. Haji no Nakatomo was the village headman. He recognized the statue’s importance. He turned his home into a temple. He dedicated his life to Kannon.
In 645, a priest named Shokai built a hall for the Kannon statue. He had a revelation in a dream. So Shokai hid the statue. It has never been unveiled since.
At that time, Asakusa was a small fishing village. It was part of the vast Musashino wilderness. As more people came to worship, the village grew. Ennin visited Senso-ji in the mid-ninth century. He was the head priest of Enryaku-ji. Ennin created a statue like the hidden one. This statue could be shown to the public on rare occasions.
During the Kamakura Period, the Shoguns showed great devotion to Senso-ji. Military leaders and other important people followed. The temple’s importance grew. In 1590, Tokugawa Ieyasu made Senso-ji a place for shogunate prayers. Later Tokugawa Shoguns often visited Senso-ji. Belief in Kannon spread among the common people. This happened during the Edo Period.
From the late 18th through the 19th century, Edo became a huge city. Its unique culture flourished. Asakusa became its cultural center. In modern times, Asakusa remains a popular hub. It is known for theater, movies, music and vaudeville.
Senso-ji is also called Asakusa Kannon. This is because it houses the Kannon statue. The statue embodies compassion. It relieves suffering. It answers prayers with kindness. Kannon can appear in many forms. These include Juichimen with 11 faces and Senju with 1000 hands.
Inside the Main Hall, you can find calligraphy masterpieces. Noguchi Sekko created them. He was one of the best calligraphers of the Edo Period. The words express Kannon’s compassion.
The Kannon statue has been hidden since 645. It is kept in a beautiful miniature temple. This zushi has many locks. Even the chief priests of Senso-ji cannot view it. To pray in the Main Hall, put your hands together. Chant “Namu Kanzeon Bosatsu.” This means “I place my trust in Bodhisattva Kannon.”
The Main Hall was built by Tokugawa Iemitsu. He was the 3rd Tokugawa shogun. The Hall was rebuilt in 1958 after being destroyed in 1945. Its roof is dramatically sloped. This hall has an inner sanctum and an outer sanctum. The Kannon statue sits in the inner sanctum.
Senso-ji includes several important structures. There is the Kaminari-mon Gate. This is also called Furaijin-mon Gate. It features statues of Fujin and Raijin. They are the gods of wind and thunder. There is also the Hozo-mon Gate. It is commonly called Nio-mon Gate.
Nakamise Shopping Street is one of Japan’s oldest. It offers traditional toys and souvenirs. Bentendo Hall houses a statue of Sarasvati. She is a well-known deity in the Kanto region.
Senso-ji holds many yearly events. Hatsumode is the first temple visit of the year. Setsubun celebrates the coming of spring. Honzon Jigen-e celebrates Kannon’s appearance. Shiman-rokusen-nichi is a day when prayers are very powerful. Osame-no-Kannon Goennichi is the last festival of the year.
Senso-ji stands as a testament to enduring faith. Its history spans centuries. It began with a simple discovery. Two fishermen found a statue. Now, it draws millions. It is a symbol of Tokyo. It is a beacon of hope.