Consider the story of Waichi Sugiyama. He is known as the god of acupuncture. Here at Ejima Sugiyama Shrine, we honor his legacy.
Ejima Sugiyama Shrine is not just another shrine. It is a unique place. It embodies the spirits of both a goddess and a man. The goddess Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto is also known as Benzaiten. She embodies beauty, wisdom, good fortune, and longevity. Waichi Sugiyama embodies Japanese traditional medicine.
Waichi Sugiyama’s journey is remarkable. Born in 1610, he lost his sight early in life due to smallpox. He became an apprentice to a famed blind acupuncturist.
Sugiyama’s skill led him to serve Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa. He healed the Shogun’s illness. In return, he received land and a mansion called One Eye Mansion. Waichi then created Honjo One Eye Benten Shrine. It quickly became a noted place in Edo. Common people respected Waichi’s story. People even visited by boat from the Shogunate inner palace.
After Waichi’s death, his apprentices enshrined his spirit. They created Sokumyou-an Hermitage. Later, Honjo One Eye Benten Shrine was renamed Ejima Shrine. A Sugiyama Shrine was created within the Ejima Shrine. It enshrined Waichi’s spirit.
The Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 destroyed the shrine palaces. They were rebuilt, but World War II destroyed them again. In 1952, they were rebuilt once more. The two shrines merged. It became Ejima Sugiyama Shrine.
This shrine is the only one in the world to worship both Waichi Sugiyama and Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto together. It is said to bring numerous benefits. These relate to health, beauty, longevity, good fortune, and wisdom.
Many acupuncturists visit Ejima Sugiyama Shrine. They pray for skill advancement. They also pray for success in their education and exams.
Inside the shrine is a cave created in 1774. Waichi stayed here to receive the Kanshin Method from Benzaiten. The cave is smaller than the one on Enoshima Island. A stone statue of Waichi stands inside. People offer food to the white snake. It is a messenger of Benzaiten.
The shrine’s symbols connect to its history. The Mikoshi and offertory box show Enoshima’s ripples. They also show the Tokugawa Shogunate’s hollyhock crest.
In the Sugiyama Waichi Memorial Hall, you can see historical items. These include writings and tools for Japanese Shinkyu. The material room here is a treasure. It holds over 400 pieces of literature and 40 acupuncture tools.
The heaviest lifting stone in Tokyo’s Sumida-ku is here. It weighs 348.75 kg. The stonehouse stored portable shrines. It protected treasures during World War II. A ginkgo tree beside it survived the fires.
A biwa instrument is stored here. It was made by a famous creator in Kyoto. It was once hidden in a castle. The biwa was used during celebrations at One Eye Mansion.
Ejima Sugiyama Shrine is a place of healing. It is a place of history. It is a place of unique spiritual significance.