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In the New Year of 1697, there was an order from the shogunate to build a new Kannon-do Hall, and this great construction was completed in about half a year. On August of the same year, a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the temple was held.

It is a large structure that is the culmination of architectural craftsmanship of the Genroku era. Its grandeur is admired as one of the best in Tokyo. 

Although it has been struck by two major disasters, the earthquake and the war, it has retained its original form and conveys the vestiges of Edo to this day, serving as a place of peace for visitors.

When the main hall of Gokokuji Temple was completed in 1682, the Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu, a natural amber statue from China, which was the personal amulet of Keishoin, was enshrined there. It was later kept as a hidden Buddha, and the statue that is currently enshrined there is the six-armed Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu.

The statue is said to have been donated by Eiryu-in, the mother of Hotta Masatoshi, in October 1700. The head of the statue is said to have been made by Eshin Sozu, and the body was newly made at that time.

This statue has six hands, which represent the six worlds of hell, the world of hungry spirits, the world of animals, the world of fighting spirits, the world of humans, and the world of heaven, each of which is saved by one of the hands. The origin of the name comes from the figure of the statue. 

One right hand holds the Nyoi Hoju, a treasure jewel that grants various wishes as one pleases, and one left hand holds the Rinbo, which represents the Buddhist teachings circulating throughout the world without end. The combination of this Nyoi Hoju and Rinbo is what makes it the Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu.

The right knee is raised and placed on the left leg, and one right hand is placed on the cheek and the head is tilted to show the meditative pose, which represents the thought of how to save the suffering people. The face has a compassionate expression and continues to watch over the people with warm eyes.

5-40-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

https://www.gokokuji.or.jp/

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Gokokuji Temple was founded in 1681 by the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. 

At the request of his mother, Keishoin, he invited the venerable Ryo-ken, head priest of Mt. Osachi Gokoku-ji Temple in Gunma Prefecture, to establish the temple. 

He granted the grounds of the Takada Medicinal Garden, which belonged to the shogunate, to build the temple. 

The principal image of worship is a natural amber Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu statue, which was a personal amulet of Keishoin. 

The temple was named Mt. Shinrei Saijiin Gokoku-ji and was given a temple estate of 300 koku (a measure of rice).

Although many of the temple buildings were lost in fires in 1883 and 1926, the Kannon-do Hall has retained its original form since the Genroku era (1688-1704), and the Gekko-den Hall, which was relocated from Mii-dera Temple in Omi, still conveys the architectural beauty of the Momoyama period (1573-1603).

Many temple buildings, such as the Yakushi-do Hall, Daishi-do Hall, Tahoto Pagoda, and Churei-do Hall, as well as the Nio-mon Gate, Somon Gate, and Chumon Gate, which are said to be from the founding period, have been preserved or reconstructed.

In addition to the paintings, calligraphies, and utensils that represent the essence of Genroku culture, many national treasures and important cultural properties are among the temple’s treasures.

Although it is located in the heart of Tokyo, which has been struck by two major disasters, the earthquake and the war, the temple still retains the vestiges of Edo and is a place of heart-to-heart connection for visitors, just as it has always been.

5-40-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

https://www.gokokuji.or.jp/

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Kishimojin is known as the goddess of fertility and child-rearing and is depicted holding an infant in one hand and a pomegranate in the other.

The pomegranate is considered a guardian deity of the Lotus Sutra and is highly valued in the Hokke and Nichiren sects of Buddhism.

Because pomegranates have many seeds inside their fruit, they are considered a symbol of prosperity for descendants.

In Buddhism, it is called “Kicchouka” (auspicious fruit) and is considered a lucky fruit. According to one theory, after Kishimojin repented, Shakyamuni gave her a pomegranate and said, “If you want to eat humans again, eat this pomegranate instead.”

3-15-2 Zoshigaya, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

https://www.kishimojin.jp/

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This is a shrine dedicated to Kishimojin, the goddess of safe childbirth and childcare.

People visit this important cultural property to pray for family safety, protection from evil, and success in academics.

It is a place surrounded by rich nature, such as zelkova trees and ginkgo trees, and has been visited by many people since ancient times.

The Oeshiki Grand Festival, where the Manto Nerikuyo (a procession with many lanterns) is held, takes place in October, so be sure to visit then.

3-15-2 Zoshigaya, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

https://www.kishimojin.jp/

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One day, a lord returning from a hawking trip passed by this place and was beckoned by a cat in front of the temple gate, so he decided to stop by.

While spending time at the temple, suddenly thunder roared and rain began to fall.

The lord was able to avoid the thunderstorm and enjoyed talking with the chief priest, so he was deeply moved by his good fortune.

That lord was Ii Naotaka, the lord of the Hikone Domain.

Gotokuji Temple was rebuilt in 1633 with the support of Ii Naotaka.

After that, at Gotokuji Temple, the cat that brought good fortune was called “Shofuku Neko-ji (beckoning cat),” and the Shofukuden Hall was built to enshrine it. Many worshipers visit the Shofukuden Hall to pray for family safety, business prosperity, and good luck.

A statue of Shofuku Kannon Bodhisattva is enshrined in the hall.

The Shofuku Neko-ji of Gotokuji Temple does not hold a gold coin and has its right hand raised.

The Shofuku Neko-ji invites people and brings “connections,” but it does not give fortune itself.

Whether or not you can make the most of the important “connections” with people depends on you.

The teaching is that if you have a feeling of gratitude and appreciation, fortune will naturally come to you, so the cat does not hold a gold coin and only raises its right hand.

2-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

https://gotokuji.jp/

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In 1633, when Setagaya became the territory of the Hikone Domain, the Ii family, the lords of the Hikone Domain, designated “Kotoku-in,” which had been built in 1480, as their Edo family temple.

Later, in 1659, the temple’s name was changed to Gotokuji after the posthumous Buddhist name of the second lord, Ii Naotaka, “Kyushoinden Gotoku Ten’ei Daikoji,” and the temple grounds were developed into a grand scale suitable for a daimyo family cemetery, which continues to this day.

It well preserves the form of a daimyo family cemetery from the Edo period and is the largest nationally designated historic site in the surrounding area.

2-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

https://gotokuji.jp/

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This is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Setagaya Ward. It is the Edo family temple of the Ii clan, the lords of the Hikone domain, and houses many cultural properties associated with the Ii family.

Despite being in Setagaya Ward, it is located in a lush green area, and a peaceful and quiet time flows here, enough to make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

The temple grounds are beautiful with seasonal flowers and trees such as plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, peonies,芍薬(Shakuyaku), azaleas, and autumn leaves in late autumn.

The rows of pine trees on the mountain path from the stone gate to the main gate, and the deep forest where wild birds fly around are also highlights.

2-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

https://gotokuji.jp/

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The temple grounds have many attractions, such as the imposing main gate and the main hall, both adorned with carvings of the twelve zodiac signs and dragons.

A notable feature is the Mizu-arai Jizo (water-washing Jizo), which is said to bring benefits for longevity.

There are also many other spots, including the Nyoirindo Hall, said to offer great benefits to women, the Chigo Daishi Sonzo statue for success in academics, the Bentendo Hall for artistic pursuits and maritime safety, and the Shusse Inari shrine for business prosperity and career advancement.

Address: 1-15-1 Nishi-arai, Adachi-ku, Tokyo

https://www.nishiaraidaishi.or.jp/

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Widely known by its popular name “Nishi Arai Daishi,” this temple bustled during the Edo period as a place for women to pray for protection from misfortune. It is counted as one of the three major Kanto Yakuyoke Daishi (temples for warding off evil), along with Kawasaki Daishi in Kanagawa Prefecture and Kōfukuji Temple in Chiba Prefecture.

Address: 1-15-1 Nishi-arai, Adachi-ku, Tokyo

https://www.nishiaraidaishi.or.jp/

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