Sensoji, located in Asakusa; often known in guide books as the Asakusa Kannon Temple, is the oldest and most popular temple in Tokyo. We visited the temple at night last year to enjoy its illuminated glory. Read about that in my post : Sensoji's Illumination.
The Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The outer of two large entrance gates that leads to Sensoji.
The Hozomon (Treasure House Gate), the inner gate leading towards Sensoji.
Unlike the Kaminarimon, which houses four different statues, the Hozomon houses two identical statues that are located on either side of the gate's south face.
The temple is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon (Guan Yin/Goddess of Mercy), and is derived from the bodhisatva Avalokitesvara that originates in India.
Legend has it that the statue of the Kannon was found in the Sumida River in the year 628AD by two fishermen, brothers Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari. Their village chief turn his own home into a shrine, and placed the statue there for the villagers to worship it. Soon the reputation of the Kannon spread throughout the country and devotees flocked to the temple to venerate the statue. The first temple was completed in 645, giving it the earliest date of a temple in Tokyo.
Within the precincts stand a stately five-story pagoda and the main hall, devoted to Kannon Bosatsu. Both the Five Story Pagoda and Sensoji Main Hall were built in 942 by military commander Taira no Kinmasa but they were destroyed by fire. In 1648, both structures were rebuilt by Tokugawa Iemitsu together with Hozomon.
Formerly associated with the Tendai sect, Sensoji became independent after World War II, when it burned down after a bombing raid. The reconstruction of the temple was funded by donations from the public. Though it mirrors the original style, the current building features a solid reinforced concrete structure with titanium roof tiles.
Formerly associated with the Tendai sect, Sensoji became independent after World War II, when it burned down after a bombing raid. The reconstruction of the temple was funded by donations from the public. Though it mirrors the original style, the current building features a solid reinforced concrete structure with titanium roof tiles.
Sensoji Temple's Main Hall is right ahead after Hozomon. Occupying a ground of 1500 square-meter, the main hall consists of an inner sanctum laid with tatami mats and the outer sanctum - the concrete floor.
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