A giant Jizo statue greets you. It stands tall at the entrance of Shinshoji Temple. This isn’t just any Jizo. It’s one of the six Jizo guardians of Edo. Shinshoji Temple in Tokyo holds a special place in history. It’s officially called Iouzen Toko-in Shinshoji Temple. It belongs to the Shingon Buzan sect.
The temple’s exact founding date remains a mystery. However a monument displays a haiku by Matsuo Basho. It’s dated 1615. This shows the temple’s age and significance. Imperial prayers for Emperor Shomu were held here. The priest Gyoki a later Bodhisattva is said to have founded it.
The temple has had a fascinating history. Records from 1826 mention a revival in 1615. This was the year the Tokugawa clan secured national rule. Interestingly Shinshoji was a branch temple of Togakuji Temple. It later seceded and became affiliated with Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto. Finally in 1900 it became a branch of Hasedera Temple.
The temple’s Jizo statue is remarkable. It stands 2.68 meters tall excluding the base. Jizou Boshogen a man from Fukugawa in Edo petitioned for its creation. The bronze statue is one of six similarly crafted. It was completed in 1714. Each guardian protected travelers on a different highway leading into Edo. Sugamo was the entrance to the Nakansen-do highway. This is why Shinshoji Temple was so important.
The annual Edoroku Jizouson Million-Prayer Rosary Memorial Service is a unique event. It features a massive 16-meter cherry wood rosary. Hundreds of people participate rotating the beads in prayer. The temple’s history is rich with stories of devotion perseverance and even war.
Shinshoji Temple is more than a place of worship. It is a living testament to history. It stands as a silent guardian. It has witnessed centuries of change in Tokyo. The giant Jizo statue watches over all. It stands as a symbol of protection and peace. Shinshoji Temple a piece of Tokyo’s enduring soul.