S M K I N I H O N G O
ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE (SENSOJI)
Isnin, 9 September 2013 • 10:54 PTG • 0 comments
Asakusa Kannon Temple (also called Sensoji) is the oldest temple in Tokyo. Its history goes back to 7th century. The legend says that in 628 two local fishermen caught a tiny statue in their net while fishing in the nearby Sumida river. The head of their village recognized it as the image of Kannon, Goddess of mercy. So they built a temple to enshrine and worship the Kannon statue.

Since the foundation, the temple has attracted many people having faith in the Goddess of mercy and developed to one of the biggest temples around Edo. As the temple developed, a town serving the people coming there was formed around the temple. In late Tokugawa period as well as after Meiji restoration the area was the busiest downtown in Edo-Tokyo.

Compared to other big temples most of which are the heads of major Buddhist sects, Asakusa Kannnon temple is said to be folksy.


Kaminari-mon (Thunder gate) is the main entrance to the temple. It was reconstructed in 1972 after long years since 1923 when the great earthquake destroyed the old gate building. Although it seems like built of wood, it is a reinforced concrete building.


Getting through the Kaminari-mon, Nakamise-dori, the lively 300-m long arcade is leading up to the Asakusa Kannon temple. It is easy for you to get caught up in the rows of small shops selling traditional Japanese items such as oiled paper umbrellas, masks, fans, dolls, toys and Edo-styled wigs.

When approaching the temple, visitors first enter through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the outer gate of Sensoji Temple and the symbol of Asakusa and the entire city of Tokyo.
A shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Alongside typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise. The shopping street has a history of several centuries. 




Beyond the Hozomon Gate stands the temple's main hall and a five storied pagoda. Destroyed in the war, the buildings are relatively recent reconstructions. The Asakusa Shrine, built in the year 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu, stands only a few dozen meters to the left of the temple's main building.
Various events are held throughout the year in the Sensoji Temple area. The biggest of them is the Sanja Matsuri, the annual festival of the Asakusa Shrine, held in May. Other events are the Asakusa Samba Carnival in August and the Hagoita-ichi (Hagoita Market) at which decorated wooden paddles used in the traditional game of hanetsuki are sold. 



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