亀鶴山 易行院 誓閑寺

Whispers of history echo around the Seikan-ji Temple. Here in Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward, nestled in the tranquil neighborhood of Kikuicho, stands this unassuming yet historically significant Buddhist temple. Seikan-ji Temple, also known as Gyojo-in, traces its roots back to 1630. It was founded by Seikan Shonin amidst a landscape far different from the bustling city we see today. The original temple, located in Fukagawa, fell victim to the devastating Meireki fire of 1657. Following this tragedy, the temple found a new home within the grounds of Josan-ji Temple, before finally settling in its current location in Kikuicho in 1666. A fascinating connection lies between Seikan-ji Temple and the nearby residence of the Tokugawa shogunate. The temple grounds once held numerous graves of ladies-in-waiting, with the grave of Ooi no Kata, wet nurse to the sixth shogun Ienobu, being the sole remaining marker of this historical link. Within Seikan-ji Temple resides a designated cultural property of Shinjuku ward. A bronze bell, cast in 1682, is the oldest in the district. The inscription on this bell not only bears the name of the donor, but also reveals a curious detail. It refers to the area as “Musashi Province, Toyoshima District,” suggesting a discrepancy in the historical records. By 1682, this area should have been part of Toshima District, not Toyoshima. This anomaly makes the bell a valuable historical artifact, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of Tokyo. Another treasure held within Seikan-ji is a wooden statue of the bodhisattva Kshitigarbha. This statue, crafted in 1818 by the renowned sculptor Masakawa Kyuemon, is also a designated cultural property. The statue’s inscription alludes to Ooi no Kata, further cementing the temple’s connection to the Tokugawa family. Seikan-ji Temple may not boast towering structures or elaborate ornamentation. Yet, its quiet presence resonates with the echoes of Edo-era Tokyo. Its stories, etched in bronze and wood, whisper of fires, shoguns, and a city constantly transforming. As you stand here, take a moment to appreciate the enduring spirit of Seikan-ji Temple, a testament to resilience and a keeper of Tokyo’s hidden history.