Here is the history of Asakusa and Sensoji Temple

Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, attracts many Japanese and foreign tourists.

The temple’s streets and scenery are sure to give visitors a great sense of Japanese culture.

But do you know what kind of building Sensoji Temple is and what kind of history it has?

In fact, Sensoji Temple has a history of nearly 1,400 years. What kind of history does Sensoji Temple have that has been cherished since ancient times?

By knowing the history of Sensoji Temple, you can enjoy sightseeing in Asakusa and feel more Japanese culture when you visit Asakusa.

Many Japanese people do not know much about the history of Sensoji Temple, so let’s learn more about it than the Japanese do.

History of Sensoji Temple

Appearance of the principal image Asuka Period 628

Senso-ji Temple has a history dating back 1,400 years.

It is said that the principal image appeared in the early morning of March 18, 628 during the Asuka Period.

The Gohonzon is the most important object of worship in Buddhist temples and Buddhist altars of believers.

While fishing in the Miyatogawa River (present-day Sumida River), the brothers Hinokumano Hamanari and Takenari found it caught in a cast net.

They let it escape from the net, and even though they were fishing in different places, the object was caught in the net again and again.

Because of this, the brothers took the statue home and showed it to the chief of the land.

The statue turned out to be Kannon Bosatsu (Goddess of Mercy), and they decided to offer it in the hall.

This is said to be the beginning of Sensoji Temple.

Chukoukaisan(中興開山)/Recovering from the decline.

Chuko Kaisan means to make something that had been in decline prosper again.

In 645, a monk built the Kannon Hall. The monk told him to take great care of it.

In the early Heian period, Jikaku Daishi Ennin visited this place. He was the founder of Sensoji Temple.

From there, Asakusa gradually developed as a religious center.

Rebuilding from earthquake and fire in late Heian period

Senso-ji collapsed due to a major earthquake in 1041. A monk saw this and decided to rebuild the temple.

Ten years later, in 1051, the reconstruction was finally completed.

However, in 1079, Senso-ji was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin.

In 1169, a priest decided to rebuild the temple, and it was rebuilt again.

pilgrimage of Minamoto no Yoritomo

Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, is also known to have paid a visit to this Sensoji temple.

Minamoto no Yoritomo is a famous figure in Japanese history that all Japanese have heard of at least once.

It was actually around this time that the name “Senso-ji” began to be used for this temple. This is written in the Azuma Kagami, a history book compiled in the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

This Sensoji Temple is the place where Minamoto no Yoritomo, a historical Japanese military commander, visited during his campaign to overthrow the Heike clan and prayed for victory in battle.

It is said that not only on this occasion, but also during his conquest of the Fujiwara clan, he donated land to Sensoji Temple.

Through the pilgrimages of Minamoto no Yoritomo and the battles between the Minamoto and Taira clans, Senso-ji gradually became well known among warriors, and many warriors began to devote their faith to the temple.

Ashikaga Takauji and Protection from Warlords

Ashikaga Takauji was the founder of the Ashikaga shogunate family, which reigned over the central government for 15 generations during the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and was a barbarian general who established the Muromachi shogunate.

Ashikaga Takauji also had a deep connection with Sensoji Temple.

Specifically, Ashikaga Takauji is said to have visited Sensoji Temple and relieved the temple of its territory, rebuilt it, and donated money to the temple.

In addition, they continued to build and restore the temple for several generations.

Not only the Ashikaga clan, a famous historical figure, but also the Hojo clan, also famous for this and that, used Sensoji Temple as a place of prayer.

It was the Hojo clan that established the foundation for the management of Sensoji Temple.

Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified the country, also prayed for good fortune.

The Sengoku to Edo periods are the most popular in Japanese history.

Many people may know Tokugawa Ieyasu, who followed in the footsteps of Oda Nobunaga and eventually unified the country.

Tokugawa Ieyasu also visited Sensoji Temple to pray for good fortune.

Earlier, I mentioned that Minamoto no Yoritomo also paid a visit to Sensoji Temple.

Tokugawa Ieyasu respected Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of samurai government.

Because Sensoji Temple was deeply associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo, Tokugawa Ieyasu also chose Sensoji Temple as his place of prayer.

Even during the famous Battle of Sekigahara, he prayed at Sensoji Temple.

The great battle of Sekigahara was won by the Eastern Army led by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The spiritual power of Sensoji Temple, which was the place of prayer for the battle, spread rapidly throughout the country.

Sensoji Temple in the Edo Period

Kan’eiji Temple was built in 1625 in Ueno, Edo. Kan’eiji Temple was dedicated to pray for the safety and peace of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Sensoji Temple was later placed under the control of Kan’eiji and remained so until the end of the Edo period.

The highest Buddhist authority at the time was the Rinnoji Palace. One of the temples under the control of Rinnoji was Sensoji. Therefore, it goes without saying that Sensoji Temple, which was under the supreme power in the Buddhist world at that time, was able to enjoy various things.

However, there were times when the Edo Shogunate was in financial difficulties. At that time, Senso-ji was not well managed. However, Senso-ji Temple, which had attracted the faith of the people, survived thanks to the help of the common people. This led to a deeper connection with the common people.

A center of popular culture

Asakusa expanded rapidly as it was the center of the city at that time.

And Asakusa, including Senso-ji Temple, became a place for people to visit, enjoy themselves, and have fun.

The entertainment at freak shows entertained many visitors to the temple.

These entertainments became so popular throughout Edo that even shoguns, feudal lords, and the Rinnoji Palace, the highest Buddhist authority, visited Asakusa and enjoyed the entertainment as well.

The scene was so well known that even Utagawa Hiroshige, one of Japan’s most famous ukiyoe artists, left a picture of it.

Meiji Era. Modernization of Sensoji Temple

At the transition from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period, a revolution called the Meiji Restoration took place in Japan. The changes of the times, of course, had an impact on Sensoji Temple.

The grounds of the temple were rezoned and the freak show was moved to a newly created area.

The areas where the freak shows were relocated flourished as entertainment districts and became some of the most popular entertainment areas in Tokyo.

This shows how much of an impact the freak show had on the city.

Asakusa was also the site of Japan’s first observation tower equipped with an elevator, and the town of Asakusa prospered not only as a place of faith but also as a town ahead of its time.

Power and Reconstruction of Sensoji Temple

For 300 years since its reconstruction in 1649, the main hall of Senso-ji Temple has been spared from fire.

It is written in the literature of the Edo period (1603-1867) that Senso-ji Temple has been protected by a number of spiritual blessings.

Even during the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Nakamise was completely burned down, but the main hall miraculously escaped the fire. Nevertheless, it collapsed during the Tokyo Air Raid of World War II.

However, the main hall, Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), Hozo-in Temple, and the five-story pagoda were rebuilt with donations from the Emperor, Panasonic’s Konosuke Matsushita, and several dignitaries.

Lastly

What did you think?

I think many people did not know that Sensoji Temple has a history of 1,400 years and is deeply connected with Japanese historical figures that everyone is familiar with.

As you can see, the temple has been a place of worship for many people and has been cherished by many people.

Senso-ji Temple, which still attracts many tourists from Japan and other countries, must be attractive to people because of this historical background.

When you visit Senso-ji, please take a look back at its history.

Reference: https://www.senso-ji.jp/about/

【This article was written by：よだとも/YodaTomo】