On Tuesday I went to Senso-ji (sen-so-gee) temple in Asakusa (a-sa-ku-sa). Senso-ji temple is a Buddhist temple and it is Tokyo's oldest temple. It was very interesting to go there. The temple is dedicated to Bodhisattva (I don't know how to say it) Kannon also know as Guan Yin (don't know how to say that either) or the Goddess of Mercy. According to legend, the statue of Kannon in the temple today was found in the river Sumida (soo-mee-da) by two fishermen who then took it to their village chief. The village chief recognised it and remodeled his home into a small shrine so that the villagers could worship there. During World War II the temple was bombed and most of it was destroyed. There is a tree in the courtyard that got hit by one of the bombs that has grown back. The temple (after it was bombed) was rebuilt as a symbol of rebirth and peace. To enter the temple you have to walk through a gate called the Thunder gate. The Thunder gate has massive lanterns painted in red-and-black tones to portray thunder and lightening. Then you walk through this pedestrian street thing lined with little stalls that sell food, kimonos (kim-own-os), souvenirs even doggy clothes. These are commonly referred to as the temple markets. It was truly amazing going to the temple. We also ate some really interesting food.
Hope you enjoyed reading,
Chloe.
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| The entance to Senso-ji Temple |
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| He's Making rice crackers |
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| The Coolest Lantern |
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ReplyDeleteSounds like you guys go somewhree new every day. Are you going to run out before you leave? Or just collapse from exhaustion?
ReplyDeleteI read about Kannon in a book your Dad lent me - Musashi. You should read it now you are in Japan you can visit all the places in it.
Sounds like your haiving fun, the temple thing sounds pretty cool, We miss you :)
ReplyDeleteI love your "Coolest Lantern" it is really beautiful. You are learning heaps about Japan and the culture. It sounds so interesting and you are so lucky to be there to learn it on the spot so you can actually see the real thing.
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