Japan29 Tokyo1 Senso-ji Temple Asakusa

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Sensoji (Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple, one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.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.

View on Senso-ji temple from Tokyo Skytree observation floor

The original gate, Kaminarimon, built by

military commander Taira no Kinmasa in 942, stood south of Asakusa in Komagata. It was erected in the present

location during the Kamakura period (1192-1333). The one standing today was built in 1960, donated by Japanese

entrepreneur Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Matsushita Electric, the

electronics company known for its Panasonic brand

Inside the gate on either side are enormous wooden statues of the protective Buddhist deities Fujin (wind god) and Raijin (thunder god), from which the gate gets its name

Kaminarimon gate

a dragon hiding under the lantern of Kaminarimon gate that marks the entrance to Sensoji Temple

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.

Nakamise street

Alongside the shopping street called Nakamise, typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata (a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric, and unlined) 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

Nakamise street

The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon.

An illustration window of how the two fishermen brothers find bosatsu Kannon statuette in Sumida River

An illustration window in Nakamise street of bosatsu Kannon consecrated and worshiped in early Senso-ji and Asakusa Shrine

An illustration window in Nakamise street of bosatsu Kannon consecrated and worshiped in early Senso-ji and Asakusa Shrine

Hozomon Gate (known as the Niomon Gate when it was first erected), was built in 942. Later destroyed repeatedly by fire, the gate was rebuilt again and again. The current gate was constructed with funds provided by Yonetaro Otani, founder of the Hotel New Otani, one of Tokyo's major hotels

Fishermen catch a statue of Bodhisattva Kannon （ from Kambun Engi Emaki, a historical picture scroll

of the Kambun era)

5.45-metre-tall statues represent Niō guardians (benevolent kings) which protect entrance gate at temples

This Nio (open mouth) was chiseled by sculptor Nishikido Shinkan in 1964. The statue made of cypress is 5.45m high and almost 1000 kilograms in weight

Emanations of Vajrapani Bodhisattva, represent Alpha & Omega, Beginning & End, Birth & Death. One with mouth open, the other with mouth closed

The current gate was constructed with funds provided by Yonetaro Otani, founder of the Hotel New Otani, one of Tokyo's major hotels

The gate features three large lanterns. The largest, red, hangs under the center of the gate's opening (height of 3.75 m, a diameter of 2.7 m and a weight of 400 kg), and displays the name of the town Kobunachō. The lantern dates back to 2003 when ¥5 million was donated by the people of Kobunachō

The dragon under the red lantern (chōchin)

All three lanterns are completely removed during festivals such as Sanja Matsuri.

On either side of the chōchin hangs two 2.75 metre-tall copper (tōrō) weighing approximately 1000 kg each.

The copper lantern

Since the gate was reconstructed using flame-resistant materials, the upper story of the Hōzōmon stores the Sensō-ji's treasured sutras

On the Hōzōmon's north (back) face are the O-Waraji, two 4.5 m long, 1.5 m wide straw sandals. They are the charm against evils because they are symbolic of the power of Ni-Ou. Wishing for being goodwalkers, many people will tuch this O-Waraji

This pair of huge traditional straw sandals called “O-Waraji” had been made by 800 citizens of Murayama City in a month. O Waraji is made of straw and 2500 kilograms in weight.

Incense burner (joukoro) in front of the main hall of "Senso-ji“, constantly surrounded by people waving the smoke over themselves to stay healthy

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

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

A number of Kiku flower (Chrysanthemum) festivals and competitions are held in autumn throughout Japan. Since Kiku festivals are held at tourist spots, such as major temples and shrines, it gives an opportunity to see the beautiful flowers for people visiting there on a trip in late autumn

Statue wrapped with a red cloth

in front of Hozomon Gate

and the five storied pagoda

The water fountain is used for ritual purification before entering the temple Main Hall

Omizuya (Chōzuya)

The style of the Japanese dragon was heavily influenced by the Chinese dragon. Like these other Asian dragons, most Japanese ones are water deities associated with rainfall and bodies of water, and are typically depicted as large, wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet. 

Hondō, the main hall of "Senso-ji" temple in Asakusa

Though it mirrors the original style, the current building features a solid reinforced concrete structure with titanium roof tiles

A national treasure built by third Edo shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, the Main Hall was obliterated in the March 1945 Tokyo air raids. However, it was reconstructed in October 1958 through donations collected from adherents around Japan Painting on the ceiling inside the Main Hall

© Roxanne Ready

The main building is devoted to Kannon Bosatsu, the Goddess of Mercy

This statue of the Nade Botokesan Buddha is touched by those hoping for good luck and help with physical ailments.  Parts of his body have been polished smooth by the hands of thousands of pilgrims, who stroke the part of the statue where they have a problem with their own bodies, in the hope that divine intervention will help with their sufferings

Incense burner (joukoro), Purification fountain,Nade Botokesan Buddha

The five storied pagodaWorshipers queuing for stroke the part of the statue where they have a problemWhite paper lantern with Japanese text hanged at Sensoji Temple

The Five-storied Pagoda was built in 942 along with the Main Hall.  In 1973, the pagoda was rebuilt, this time to include additional facilities such as a room for mortuary tablets

Ema or Japanese wooden prayer plaques at Shinto shrine in Senso ji Buddhist temple

Sensoji Nitenmonon the east side of the Main Hall, the gate is named for the two protective Buddhist deities (known as ten) 

Statues of the Buddha

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu Nicoleta Leu InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Japan Buddhism Music - Goeika (Pilgrim Chant) - Hannya Shingo (Heart Sutra) 2016