Gokokuji Temple
The fifth shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa built Gokokuji Temple for his mother Keishoin on a spacious land that used to be a large herb garden. The principal object of worship at the temple is Keishoin’s nenjibutsu (a statue of personal worship), Nyoirin-Kanzeon-Zo. It is exhibited on the 18th day of every month.
Tsunayoshi, known for “edict forbidding cruelties to living things,” was born as the third son of the third shogun Iemitsu. Tsunayoshi’s mother Keishoin is said to be a daughter of vegetable shop owner in Nishijin, Kyoto. And she became a concubine of shogun. So, this story is the origin of the word “tamanokoshi (Cinderella story)” and a symbol of success.
The highlight of Gokokuji Temple is Hondo completed in 1697 during the Genroku period. It is well-known for the most magnificent architecture in Tokyo which survived two large disasters, the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Great Tokyo Air Raid. Today, its appearance tells us the Genroku culture.
The inner room enshrines 33 statues of Kannonbosatsu because Kannonbosatsu helps people by transforming into 33 kinds of form. Keishoin dedicated all of them to the temple when it was built. And also, it is said that Keishoin put her hair into them. It is a magnificent view of 33 different statues including Taishakushin and Ryushin. The inner room is not open to public but you can see those statues from Hondo. (But you are not allowed to take a picture of the inner room.)
You can feel the ideas of mandala of Shingon Buddhism here, which is one of the attractions of Gokokuji Temple. You will see various images of Buddha in Buddhism art like paintings and statues.
It is located in the city but has full of green. You can spend calm time here. Hondo has a serene atmosphere and some people pray losing track of time. Please have a peaceful holiday at Gokokuji Temple which has the taste of Edo period.
Nov 2018 Text: Ryoko Kuraishi Photo: Yasuo Yamaguchi