Built in 1910 Sakasai Koshinzuka stands silently. It’s a testament to a long-forgotten belief. The Koshin faith once thrived. People believed three mischievous spirits Sanshi lived inside them. Every sixty days these spirits flew to Heaven. They reported people’s actions to the Heavenly God Tentei. Tentei punished wrongdoers.
Sakasai Koshinzuka is a Koshinzuka mound. These mounds were erected throughout Japan. They served as reminders of the Koshin faith. People would visit these sites during Koshin nights. They stayed awake praying to avoid punishment.
The Koshin faith’s origins are ancient. It arrived in Japan from China. It mixed with Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. By the 9th century court nobles practiced it. Buddhist monks spread the belief during the Muromachi period. It remained popular in the Edo period.
However the Meiji government’s 1872 separation order changed everything. It declared Koshin a superstition. The faith declined. Many Koshinzuka were moved to temples or homes. Some remain along roadsides. Few Koshin halls survive. Sakasai Koshinzuka is one of the lucky few.
It shows the enduring power of belief. Even after official rejection. The three monkeys See no evil Hear no evil Speak no evil. This was a common motif on Koshinzuka. It reinforced the need for good behavior. To avoid the Sanshi’s report.
Today Sakasai Koshinzuka is more than a monument. It’s a silent observer of Tokyo’s history. It is a reminder of ancient beliefs and practices. It stands as a small but significant part of Japan’s rich cultural heritage. A witness to centuries of faith hope and superstition. It connects us to a past where the line between the physical and spiritual was blurred. A past where the actions of each person held profound consequences. A small stone with a big story to tell.