「禁銃猟　警視廳」

Beneath the serene gaze of Kannon, a stone marker stands within the Josho-ji temple grounds. This marker, the “Kinjugaru no Ishi” or “No Hunting with Swords Stone”, tells a tale of bygone days at Josho-ji. The inscription, dating back to 1899, declares hunting with swords forbidden within this area. Imagine Tokyo in the Meiji era, a time when Josho-ji’s surroundings were likely rural farmland where hunting was common. This stone serves as a stark reminder of those times, a testament to the changing landscape of Tokyo. The stone itself isn’t imposing. Yet, it carries a weight of history. It echoes the past, when the clash of steel and the cries of hunted animals might have disturbed the temple’s tranquility. The stone stands as a silent guardian of Josho-ji’s peaceful atmosphere. It’s a reminder of the temple’s long history, stretching back to 1678 when it was founded by Kaseki Shonin. Interestingly, the name on the stone, Kobayashi Gyozaemon, presents a challenge. This name is so common that identifying the specific individual who erected the stone proves difficult. Despite this ambiguity, the “No Hunting with Swords Stone” at Josho-ji offers a unique glimpse into the past. It speaks to a time when the boundaries between urban and rural were blurred, when the temple stood as an oasis of peace amidst a working landscape. As you stand before it, let its simple message transport you back to a different era, a different Tokyo.