Here, standing before Enmyō-in, time seems to slow. Enmyō-in is a Shingon Buddhist temple. It is located in Nerima, Tokyo. The temple’s history stretches back over 500 years.
Enmyō-in was founded around 1500.行真, Gyoshin, founded it. The temple’s establishment is linked to 鑁阿上人, Taira no Yoshiyasu. A wooden tablet from 1502 bears Taira no Yoshiyasu’s name. This suggests the temple existed then. Another tablet from 1501 features an image of Benzaiten.
The temple is known as 智日山円明院西光寺, Chijitsusan Enmyō-in Saikō-ji. Its main deity is不动明王 Fudō Myōō. Enmyō-in is number 27 on the 武蔵国三十三観音霊場, Musashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
During the Great Kanto Earthquake, tragedy struck. The 上毛モスリン練馬工場, Jōmō Mosurin Nerima factory, collapsed. Nine victims were women. One victim was a man. A memorial exists for them. It is a registered cultural property of Nerima.
Enmyō-in is part of the 豊島八十八箇所霊場, Toshima 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The temple is also associated with the 新編武蔵風土記稿, Shinpen Musashi Fudoki Kō. This is a historical record. It mentions Enmyō-in as 西光寺 Saikō-ji.
Inside Enmyō-in, once stood稻荷社, Inari-sha. Also,弁財天社, Benzaiten-sha. 田柄川 Tagara-gawa flowed nearby. The locals had strong faith. They particularly revered Benzaiten.
The main hall was rebuilt in 1810. During recent tomb work, relics were found. These included 座禅姿の白骨, Zazensugata no hakukotsu. It means white bones in a seated meditation pose. There was also 永楽通宝銀銭, Eiraku Tsūhō Ginsen. It is a silver coin. These are now temple treasures.
You can reach Enmyō-in from 上板橋駅, Kamiitabashi Station. It is a 16-minute walk. The temple’s address is 錦1-19-25. It is in Nerima Ward. Enmyō-in is a serene place. It connects us to Tokyo’s past.