 Most viewed - Shibamata Taishakuten 柴又帝釈天 |
Sando worship path to Taishakuten temple. Shibamata is in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward bordered by the Arakawa River in the west and by the Edogawa River in the east.310 views
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The path is lined with shops.202 views
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Map of temple grounds201 views
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There are ten large carvings (each 2.27 meters by 1.27 meters) depicting scenes from the Lotus Sutra (Hokekyo).196 views
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Sando worship path to Taishakuten temple188 views
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185 views
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This is the shopping arcade which serves as the setting for the famous Tora-san movie series starring Atsumi Kiyoshi.182 views
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Toward the end of the shop-lined mall, you will see this Nitenmon Gate of the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, formally known as Daikyoji. 二天門181 views
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The woodcarvings were requested by the temple's 16th priest, Nissai. Through a generous donation from devoted follower Suzuki Genjiro, the project was begun.178 views
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Tora-ya177 views
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When you get to Shibamata, don't expect the quiet shitamachi charm depicted in the Tora-san movies. Expect a lot of tourists instead, especially on weekends and holidays.172 views
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The side and rear exterior walls of the Taishakudo are blanketed with panels of detailed woodcarvings. They are the most outstanding feature of Shibamata Taishakuten Temple.. 彫刻ギャラリー172 views
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Wood carvings on Nitenmon Gate167 views
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This temple serves as a recurrent backdrop in the Tora-san series. The temple's priest is played by the humorous Ryu Chishu who actually came from a family of Buddhist priests. Photo: Bell tower167 views
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Fame has brought prosperity to the shops which line the mall leading to the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple. This shop, called Kameya Honpo, apparently served as the model for the Tora-ya dumpling shop.163 views
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The shop sells kusa dango (mugwort dumplings with real grass inside), the local specialty. Photo: Nitenmon Gate in view163 views
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Hondo main hall 本堂162 views
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Since such large pieces of keyaki wood are very difficult to find and the carvings are so fine, the carvings are regarded as highly valuable cultural assets.161 views
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The present Naiden (Inner Sanctuary) was completed in 1915. Keyaki (zelkova) was used for all the wood in the building. The present Haiden (Worship Hall) was completed in 1929. Photo: Taishaku-do Hall 帝釈堂160 views
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It was believed that Indra would step in and chase away the demons causing calamities to the followers of Buddhism. Photo: Wood Carving Gallery (admission charged)158 views
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The first panel was completed in 1922. The carver, Kato^ Toranosuke, proposed that the remaining 9 panels be carved by renown woodcarvers living in Tokyo. A large keyaki panel was delivered to each of the nine carvers.158 views
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Hondo Hall and Shaka-do Hall158 views
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However, in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck and these panels did not survive. A subsequent search for replacement panels was conducted nationwide.157 views
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Taishakuten is the god Indra from Brahmanism, a Hindu religion. Being the god of rain and thunder, Indra was a powerful warrior god that was adopted by Buddhism as a protector. Photo: Glass wall protecting the exterior of Taishaku-do Hall.152 views
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The Nitenmon Gate was completed in 1896 and features wooden statues of Zocho and Komoku, two of the four Devas which guard the four cardinal directions from demons.151 views
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Suikeien Garden 庭園150 views
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Founded in 1629 by a priest named Nitchu and his disciple Nichiei, the temple belongs to the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.147 views
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To protect the exterior woodcarvings from the elements and to allow visitors to view them up close, the temple built a transparent, permanent scaffolding on the side and rear exterior walls of the Taishakudo.147 views
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Hina dolls in guest house room 大客殿147 views
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If you want a detailed explanation (in Japanese) of the Lotus Sutra scenes depicted by the woodcarvings, buy the pamphlet that is sold at the temple's souvenir stand near the Nitenmon Gate.146 views
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146 views
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Hinamatsuri dolls 大客殿142 views
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139 views
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Minami Daimon Gate 南大門139 views
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138 views
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Sacred water 御神水138 views
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Goshinsui (purification water fountain).137 views
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136 views
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Garden hallway 庭園136 views
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135 views
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Goshinsui (purification water fountain).135 views
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You can walk down a corridor to the Daikyakuden (Reception Hall) made entirely of hinoki (Japanese cypress). This hall faces the lovely Suikeien Garden.132 views
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Dragon131 views
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129 views
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Corridor to Guest House (Dai-kyakuden)129 views
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Tea ceremony house 茶室129 views
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In 1926, large keyaki replacement panels were finally procured and the project was back on track. The carvings were completed in 1934.128 views
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It makes you feel like you are in an art gallery. From the front of the Taishakudo, the scaffolding is neatly concealed from view.128 views
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Since the carved walls are two stories high, the scaffolding has upper and lower levels which allows you to view the woodcarvings on the upper and lower halves of the walls. This is the lower floor126 views
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Even the corridor has wood carvings.118 views
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Folding screens118 views
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Corridor of guest house 大客殿117 views
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Nitenmon Gate carvings117 views
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117 views
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Daishoro (bell tower)117 views
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Hina dolls in guest house room 大客殿116 views
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Nitenmon Gate carvings116 views
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Nitenmon Gate as seen from Taishaku-do Hall111 views
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Rear of Nitenmon Gate109 views
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95 views
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This shop was used in the early Tora-san films.95 views
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Daruma dolls94 views
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Shop called Toraya.90 views
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