“Namu Kanzeon Bosatsu.” Do you hear that chant? It is a prayer to Kannon. We are standing before Sensoji. It is Tokyo’s oldest temple.
Sensoji is more than just a temple. It is a vibrant hub of culture and history. It draws millions of worshippers every year. They all seek the mercy of Kannon. Kannon embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.
The story of Sensoji begins in 628. Two brothers, Hinokuma Hamanari and Takenari, were fishing. They fished a statue of Kannon from the Sumida River. They returned the statue to the river. But it always came back to them. Haji no Nakatomo, the village headman, recognized the statue. He understood its sanctity. He dedicated his life to Buddhism. Haji no Nakatomo turned his house into a temple. He devoted himself to worshipping Kannon.
In 645, a priest named Shokai arrived. He built a hall for Kannon. Shokai hid the statue after a dream. It has remained hidden ever since. Even the chief priests have never seen it.
Asakusa was a small fishing village then. It was part of the vast Musashino wilderness. People came to worship. Asakusa grew and flourished. Ennin visited Sensoji in the ninth century. He was the head priest of Enryakuji. Ennin created a statue like the original. This allowed the public to view a representation.
During the Kamakura Period, shoguns showed great devotion to Sensoji. Military leaders and writers followed. The temple’s importance grew. In 1590, Tokugawa Ieyasu made Sensoji a place of prayer for the shogunate. Belief in Kannon spread among common people. This happened during the Edo Period.
Edo became the largest city in the world. Asakusa became its cultural center. Today Asakusa is still a popular culture center. It is known for theater, movies, music, and vaudeville.
Let us look closer at Sensoji’s treasures. The Main Hall is Kannon-do. Inside is the Bodhisattva Kannon. Yogodo Hall has eight Buddhas. They protect the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Awashimado Hall enshrines Awashima Myojin. The Five-Storied Pagoda holds Buddha’s ashes. These were a gift from Sri Lanka. Niten-mon Gate is guarded by two deities. They are Zochoten and Jikokuten. Hozo-mon Gate houses treasured sutras.
Outside the temple, Nakamise Shopping Street beckons. It is one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets. Traditional toys and cakes are sold here. You can find many souvenirs.
Sensoji is a symbol of resilience. It was destroyed in World War II. It was rebuilt with donations from all over Japan. The temple embodies rebirth and peace.
Remember the story of the fishermen and the Kannon statue. Consider the millions who have sought solace here. Sensoji is a place of faith and history. It has been a beacon for centuries. As we leave Sensoji, carry its spirit of compassion with you.