Haven’t you wondered how Tokyo’s oldest temple came to be? Today we are standing before Sensō-ji. It is more than just an ancient temple. It is a vibrant testament to Tokyo’s enduring spirit.
Sensō-ji is dedicated to Kannon. Kannon is the bodhisattva of compassion. Legend says that two brothers found a Kannon statue in the Sumida River in 628 AD. They tried to return it to the river. But the statue kept coming back to them. The village chief, Hajino Nakamoto, recognized its sanctity. He enshrined it in a small temple. This marked the beginning of Sensō-ji.
The first temple structure was erected in 645 AD. This makes Sensō-ji Tokyo’s oldest temple. Over the centuries, Sensō-ji has seen many changes. In the early years of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu made Sensō-ji the clan’s tutelary temple.
World War II brought devastation. The temple was destroyed in the 1945 firebombing raid. But like a phoenix, Sensō-ji rose from the ashes. The main hall was rebuilt in the 1950s. It became a symbol of rebirth and peace.
Look closely at the courtyard. Notice that tree. It was struck by a bomb. Amazingly it regrew from its old husk. It mirrors the temple’s own story of resilience. The temple now boasts a titanium tiled roof. It maintains its historic look. But it is stronger and lighter.
Dominating the entrance is the Kaminarimon. It is also known as the Thunder Gate. This imposing gate features a massive paper lantern. It is painted with vivid red and black. This suggests thunderclouds and lightning. The Kaminarimon was first built in 941 AD. Taira no Kinmasa was the military commander. The current gate dates back to 1960. The previous one was destroyed in a fire in 1865.
Take note of the four statues housed within the Kaminarimon. Fūjin, the god of wind, stands on the east. Raijin, the god of thunder, is on the west. On the reverse side are Tenryū and Kinryū. These were donated in 1978. They marked the 1350th anniversary of Kannon’s first appearance at Asakusa.
Beyond the Kaminarimon lies Nakamise-dori. This is a street lined with shops. It leads to the Hōzōmon. It is also known as the Treasure House Gate. Nakamise-dori has a long history. It goes back to the early 12th century. Neighbors of Sensō-ji were given permission to open shops on the approach to the temple. The street is about 250 meters long. It has around 72 shops.
The Hōzōmon houses many of Sensō-ji’s treasures. The Lotus Sutra is a Japanese National Treasure. The Issai-kyō is a complete collection of Buddhist scriptures. The Hōzōmon also features two guardian statues. They are the Niō. The gate was originally called the Niōmon because of these statues.
The temple’s main hall is devoted to Kannon. Ennin created a statue identical to the main image. This was so it could be shown rarely to the public. In the Main Hall there are two masterpieces of calligraphy by Noguchi Sekko.
The Five-Storied Pagoda was first built in 942. It was rebuilt in 1973. Busshari, Buddha’s ashes, were gifted from the royal temple of Sri Lanka.
Each year, Sensō-ji hosts various events. The Sanja Matsuri is the annual festival of the Asakusa Shrine. The Asakusa Samba Carnival takes place in August. The Hagoita-ichi is where decorated wooden paddles are sold.
Sensō-ji is not just a temple. It is a living, breathing part of Tokyo. It embodies the city’s history, culture and spirit. As you leave, remember the story of Sensō-ji. Remember the statue found in the river. Remember the temple that rose from ashes. Remember the enduring power of faith and resilience.