“Established in 645 AD” echoes in my mind as we approach Sensō-ji. This makes it Tokyo’s oldest temple. It is dedicated to Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion.
Sensō-ji wasn’t always as you see it now. Legend says that two fishermen found a Kannon statue in the Sumida River in 628 AD. The brothers Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari discovered it. Hajino Nakamoto, their village chief recognized the statue. He enshrined it in a small temple. This original enshrining marks the temple’s start.
Imagine Tokyo in 1945. World War II raged. A firebombing raid on March 10th destroyed Sensō-ji. The main hall was rebuilt in the 1950s. It became a symbol of rebirth and peace.
Leading to the temple is Nakamise-dori street. It offers many traditional goods. Adjacent to Sensō-ji is the Asakusa Shrine of the Shinto religion.
The Kaminarimon or “Thunder Gate” dominates the entrance. It features a massive paper lantern. Vivid red and black suggest thunderclouds. Beyond, Nakamise-dori bustles with shops. Finally, the Hōzōmon or “Treasure House Gate” stands before us.
Inside Sensō-ji many tourists visit yearly. The area is full of traditional shops. They sell hand-made noodles and tempura. Nakamise-Dori is lined with small shops. They sell souvenirs and Buddhist scrolls.
Within the temple itself are o-mikuji stalls. Visitors shake labelled sticks. They retrieve answers from one of 100 drawers.
Sensō-ji’s history is long and complex. In the early years, Tokugawa Ieyasu made Sensō-ji the tutelary temple of his clan. After the war, the temple became independent. Once linked to the Tendai sect it now stands alone.
Notice the Kaminarimon. The first gate was built in 941. The current gate dates back to 1960. Konosuke Matsushita donated to rebuild it.
Four statues are housed here. Fūjin, the wind god is on the east. Raijin, the thunder god is on the west. Tenryū and Kinryū are on the reverse.
Also notice the giant red lantern. It displays the gate’s name Kaminarimon. The back says Fūraijinmon. During festivals, the lantern is collapsed.
The Hōzōmon houses two guardian statues. They are located on either side of the south face. The gate also features three large lanterns.
The temple’s grounds showcase a quiet Japanese garden. It provides a contemplative space. As you explore remember the temple’s past. From fishermen’s find to symbol of rebirth, Sensō-ji continues to inspire.