Osu Vol.3 -Temples at times, strongholds at other times-

The construction of Nagoya castle in 1610 led to the redevelopment of Nagoya city. Osu, which was located between Nagoya castle and Nagoya port, must have been the first priority for the redevelopment as the main gate of Nagoya. The lord at the time ordered some temples and shrines to move into Osu in rebuilding the town in order to protect the area from enemies. Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines at the time were regarded as citadels or fortresses in case of emergencies. Osu Kannon temple and Banshouji temple were also moved with such a purpose.

The temple where I should have visited in autumn

After I dropped by Inuyama castle, I had lunch at a restaurant in front of the castle.

I saw one name of fish on the menu. Ayu, sweetfish grilled with salt. It was quite expensive(about 22 U.S. dollars?), but I ordered it. “I’m afraid we’re out.” said the clerk. Kishimen was what I finally decided to eat.

Thanks to the kids, I got interesting topics

I wrote it before in my blog that I often visit temples and get signs called shuin(like signatures and stamps) in my shuin tyou book. Chita shikoku, a series of temples which a well known Buddhism priest visited long time ago, includes 98 temples for completion. I just got 29 temples’ shuin of them.

Nomadaibou(has its name ‘oomidouji‘ as the official name) is one of 98 temples I’m going to get their shuin. I had some photos and got interesting topics around the temple. This time, I’ll introduce them to you.

Striding the center of the bridge! …at the Ikkyuu temple.

Do you know the Japanese animation, “Ikkyuu-san”? It’s the comical but heartwarming story, in which Ikkyuu-san is pregnant with wit while his religious training.

Ikkyuu-san was actually not such a character in the real. He dedicated himself to Rinzai Zen sect and was known as his funny behavior opposed to traditional Buddhism styles.

For example, Bonzes, which are Buddhist priests, must shave their hair, not drink alcohol, and not do sex, however, he did as much forbidden things by Buddhism as possible because he criticized traditional Buddhism discipline. He thought it’s important to feel free, not to suppress myself.

I went to the Ikkyuuji temple which has his grave.

I was surprised with one thing. Ikkyuu-san a descendant of emperors. As a matter of fact, he is officially not recorded as the descendant of emperor because he was illegitimately born. The priest of this temple, also a curator, he told me that the Gokomatu emperor, who is Ikkyuu-san’s parent, didn’t want him to involve in political wars. At that time, Japan was divided by two emperors in Nanbokutyou era.

He’s a descendant of emperors…so surprisingly, this temple is under control by Imperial Household Agency (which is Kunaityo).

I took a few photos in this temple, so I’ll show you them.

The sound of silence…talks to me something…

Japanese loves gardens like this…

Ikkyuu-san in younger age, He probably said, “Don’t be haisty. Let’s take a break.” (I’m sure Only Japanese can follow this lines…hihihi)

You can see the word “Kunaityou” written in Chinese character at the last line.

Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, who was the third general in Muromachi era, orderd Ikkyuu-san to catch this tiger in the painting. Ikkyuu-san humbly said to Yoshimitsu, “I’ll get this tiger after you put it out of this painting.”

This is a famous bridge and sign saying “kono hashi wataruna (means, Don’t go across the bridge.)”. In Japanese, “hashi” has many meanings, such as bridges, chopsticks, edge. We can find their differences with their Chiniese characters and accents. Take a look at the sign. It’s written in Hiragana, right? So you can interpret “hashi” as either “bridge”, “chopsticks”, or “edge”. Me? Ofcourse I walked across the center of the bridge, not the edge of it…as if Ikkyuu-san did.

This is the opening song of Ikkyuu-san in animation. You can see the edge of the bridge and the tiger in painting I showed you above.

The temple has gotten through the air raids…with many donations of a lot of people.

Before I went to Akihabara, I went to “Senso-ji” in Taito ward, Tokyo.

This is my first time to go to “Senso-ji” and “Kaminarimon Gate”, so once I got out of the subway station, I asked one high school student where they were. “Excuse me, could you tell me where Kaminarimon Gate?” asked I.

I didn’t know why he was surprised with me and chuckled. “Not far away. There.” said He, pointing out the direction.

I just understood why he laughed. I arrived at Kaminarimon Gate in a few SECONDS…hihihi…

This is “Kaminarimon Gate”.

Suprisingly, The current Kaminarimon Gate was re-built in 1960, donated by Konosuke Matsushita! Do you know him? He is the founder of Panasonic, and is known for the God of Management, not only in Japan but also all over the world.

You can see the two statues protecting the gate on either side of the gate? They are “Fujin”, (means wind God) and “Raijin”, (means thunder God). The words of “Fujin” and “Raijin” are often used like the symbol of the guardians in a lot of situations, such as the character of Japanese comics.

After the Kaminarimon Gate, You can walk through “Nakamise-dori” street, which is the place selling many kinds of goods. I was surprised with the shop selling wigs! “Why wig?!” I walked through the street, thinking like that…

Finally, I arrived at “Honzon Gate”, in the center of the premises. ummm…the Senso-ji temple is famaous for the sightseeing place so much that a lot of foreign travelers are there, not Japanese.

As a matter of fact, I’m writing this article, referring to the brouchure of Senso-ji. I’ve just realized that the person who donated money to re-build this “Hozomon Gate”(not Kaminarimon Gate”) was Yonetaro Otani. He was the founder of the Hotel New Otani!

After through “Hozomon Gate”, You can achieve the main hall of Senso-ji, which was erected with donations by hundreds of thousands of adherents. The original gate was buit in 628.

Looking through the brochure, I knew a lot of things happened to Senso-ji and most of the things were happened in World War 2 in 1945. At that time, people must have suffered terrible damages from air raid strike in Tokyo….

As an aside, I will recommend one ceremony you should do when you go there. In order to make your bad part of your body well , please try to get the smoke like the people in the photo. People, who think their heads are idiot, should get the smoke over their own head. People, who think their organs are not good, should get the smoke around their own body.

Me? Ofcourse, I got a large mount of smoke…all of my body…from head to toe…! hihihi