top of page
About Shibamata Taishakuten
The Origin of Shibamata Taishakuten
Gallery and Garden
This temple is called Kyoeizan Daikyoji (Nichiren sect). It was founded in the Kan'ei era (1629) by Zennain Nitchu, the 19th abbot of Shimousa Nakayama Hokkekyoji Temple. His disciple, the second abbot, Daikyoin Nichiei, was the actual founder.
Appearance of wooden statues
This temple has long housed the principal image of Taishakuten, said to be the personal carving of Saint Nichiren, but its whereabouts became unknown for a time during the mid-Edo period.
During the An'ei era, the ninth abbot of the temple, Koteiin Nichikyo, lamented the dilapidated state of the hall and sought to restore it.
Then, in the spring of 1779, during renovations to the main hall, the principal image was discovered on top of a beam, and the temple was filled with great ecstasy at the reappearance of the principal image. The fact that the auspicious day for this discovery was the day of the Koshin (Kanoe-saru) signified the beginning of the connection between this temple and the Koshin.
In a brief history written by himself, Nikkei Shonin states the following:
"The principal image that emerged from the top of the main hall was a board measuring 2.5 feet long, 1.5 feet wide and 5 minutes thick. It was extremely heavy and hard, distorting its shape, and was so dirty with dust that it was difficult to make out, but after thoroughly rinsing it with water, it was revealed that one side was a wooden sculpture of Saint Nichiren, the principal image of the "Illness Disappears Soon" statue, and the other side was an image of Taishakuten.
This is without a doubt the principal image of prayer handed down through the generations at this temple."
Nikkyo Shonin wrote that he was extremely surprised and delighted by this event.
Itamoto Sonjingata
On one side of this Gohonzon, the mantra "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" is inscribed in the center, and on both sides is carved a passage from the Medicine King Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which reads, "This sutra is an excellent medicine for the illnesses of people throughout Jambudvipa (a Buddhist term for the entire world). If anyone is ill and is able to listen to this sutra, the illness will disappear and they will attain immortality."
On the other side, the principal image of Taishakuten is engraved in a wrathful pose, holding a sword in his right hand and his left hand open.
This is a picture of demons surrendering, and it means that if we believe in and follow the teachings of the Buddha, even if we encounter illness, fire, or any other disaster, Taishakuten will surely protect us and drive away the demons.
wonder
The era ended in the ninth year of the An'ei era, followed by the Tenmei era. Then came the third year of the Tenmei era, when the great famine and epidemic were rampant. Nikkyo Shonin, with a strong conviction that "now is the time to save those who are suffering from disaster," traveled around Edo and other parts of Shimousa Province carrying this wooden honzon on his back.
It is said that he then gave the talisman he received from the principal image to many sick people, and by having them worship the principal image, he bestowed miraculous blessings upon them.
Evening Koshin
In this way, faith in Taishakuten, centered in Edo, grew, and it became linked to the faith of "waiting for the Koshin" that was particularly popular during the Edo period, and pilgrimages to the shrine on "Yoi Koshin" became popular.
A customs book from the early Meiji period states the following: "Among those believed in in relation to the faith in Koshin is Taishakuten in Shibamata, Minami Katsushika County. Taishakuten is a god of Indian Brahmanism, and later became a deity protecting Buddhism, but has no relation to Koshin, which originated in Chinese customs. This principal image appeared on Koshin day, and since then Koshin day has been used as a festival day, with people coming from the Tokyo area, passing through Koume Hikifune Koshin, and walking in groups of three or five along the dark rice paddy roads,
When people meet along the way, whether they know each other or not, they always greet each other with "Good morning, good morning," giving the impression of a simple and simple atmosphere from the past.
The Katsushika countryside was lit up as far as the eye could see, and the roads that ran from Koume and Hikifune to Yotsugi, Tateishi, and across the ferry at Magarikane (Takasago) to Shibamata, or the two roads that ran through Shinjuku to Shibamata, were said to have been very lively. The teahouses that sold kusa-dango along the way are still selling them today.
People would spend the night in the main hall of Taishakuten, view the first public display, drink the holy water that overflowed from the garden, and then head home.
開山
板本尊
板本尊々形
不思議
宵庚申
bottom of page