谷津大観音

Gazing at the Yatsu Dai Kannon, a sense of serenity washes over you. This towering statue, located near the entrance of the Sensōji Temple in Tokyo’s Kita Ward, stands as a beacon of peace and prosperity. The Yatsu Dai Kannon was erected on December 6, 2008. It overlooks the tranquil grounds of the Jutokuji Temple. This Kannon statue was commissioned by the temple’s chief priest, Shinko Arai. The statue has a profound inscription, expressing hopes for world peace, happiness for all, prosperity for children, and the fulfillment of all wishes. The statue itself is a masterpiece. It stands at an impressive 8.5 meters tall and weighs 5 tons. It was crafted by the sculptor Masafumi Watanabe, under the supervision of Kagami Tsuneo. The bronze used for the statue was created by melting down metal plaques inscribed with wishes from local residents and temple visitors. These wishes, imbued within the statue itself, add another layer of meaning to this majestic figure. The name “Yatsu” refers to an old name for the area along the Shakujii River where the statue and Jutokuji Temple stand. Along the riverbank, cherry blossom trees bloom, adding a splash of color and signaling the arrival of spring. A little further downstream, you’ll find the peaceful greenery of the Omomiji Ryokuchi park and the Konzoji Temple. It’s a perfect spot for a relaxing stroll after visiting the Yatsu Dai Kannon. Jutokuji Temple, where the Yatsu Dai Kannon resides, also has a rich history. Its main enshrined object is a wooden statue of Kannon. Legend tells of Hayafune and Komiya families who found the statue in the water and placed it on the riverbank’s bluff. Jutokuji Temple has been a pilgrimage site since the Edo period, serving as the twelfth stop on the Edo Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage. The bark of a mulberry tree within the temple grounds was believed to aid in breastfeeding if peeled and offered to the enshrined deity. Then brewed and drunk after praying. This belief attracted many mothers seeking a plentiful milk supply. Incidentally, Jutokuji also manages the mausoleum of the famed last shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa. This mausoleum is located near the east exit of Ikebukuro Station.