This blog post will introduce Hashiba Fudoson Temple (橋場不動尊) near Asakusa of Tokyo.
Hashiba Fudoson Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect in Taito Ward of Tokyo. Its official name is Sunaosan Hashibaji Fudoin Temple, but locals call it Hashiba Fudoson Temple.
This temple is located a 3-minute walk from Shirohige Bridge over the Sumida River. The nearby stations are Minami-Senju Station on the Hibiya Line and Asakusa Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line. But you will have to walk about 20 minutes from each station.
The principal image of Buddha of Hashiba Fudoson Temple is Fudo Myoo (不動明王). His blessings include renouncing worldly desires, calamity preventions, business success, etc.
Jakusho (寂昇), a Buddhist monk, built Hashiba Fudoson Temple in 760. He was a disciple of Roben (良弁), who built Todaiji Temple in Nara. Jakusho built the temple because he had had a divine revelation of Fudo Myoo.
Tokyo has experienced many major fire disasters in the past. But such catastrophes did not affect Hashiba Fudoson Temple and its nearby area. So people call this temple “Hashiba Fudoson Temple of Firefighting.”
This blog post is also available in Plain Japanese and in Yasashii Nihongo (やさしい日本語). You can refer to them from the following links:
History
According to Hashiba Fudoson Temple, its history dates to the 8th century.
At that time, there was a Buddhist monk named Roben (良弁) at Oyamadera Temple (大山寺) in Sagami no Kuni (the former name of Kanagawa Prefecture). He is famous because he built Todaiji Temple (東大寺) in Nara.
One day, Roben received a divine revelation from Fudo Myoo. Following the revelation, he carved three wooden statues of Fudo Myoo from a sacred tree.
Roben enshrined the first statue at Oyamadera Temple. He kept the second one by himself. Then he entrusted the remaining one to Jakusho (寂昇), his disciple.
Sometime later, Jakusho traveled to Kazusa no Kuni (the former name of Chiba Prefecture) with the statue. When he stopped by this neighborhood, he received a divine revelation from Fudo Myoo. So, Roben decided to enshrine the statue of Fudo Myoo here.
In 760, Roben built a temple of the Hosso sect named Sunao Fudo Temple with the cooperation of villagers of this neighborhood. This is the beginning of Sunaba Fudoson Temple.
In 1163, Hashiba Fudoson Temple brought Kyoen (教円) as its chief Buddhist priest. At the same time, this temple converted from the Hoso sect to the Tendai sect.
When Hashiba Fudoson Temple converted its faith to the Tendai sect. It also became under the control of Sensoji Temple (浅草寺).
In 1950, Sensoji Temple converted from the Tendai sect to the Shokannon sect. So, Hashiba Fudoson Temple became under the control of Hieizan Enryakuji Temple (比叡山延暦寺), the head of the Tendai sect.
Enshrined Gods and Their Blessings
Fudo Myoo(不動明王)
- Other names: Fudoson (不動尊), Mudoson (無動尊), etc.
- Divinity: A Buddhist god of salvation, renouncing evils and wordly desires, etc.
- Blessings: Calamity prevention, good health, academic achievement, successful career, prosperous business, renouncing of worldly desires, etc.
- Note: Acala in English
Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来)
- Other names: Yakushi ruriko nyorai (薬師瑠璃光如来), Daiio (大医王), etc.
- Divinity: A Buddhist god of medicine
- Blessings: Disease cure (especially eye diseases), good health and longevity, easy delivery, secular benefits, etc.
- Note: Bhaisajyaguru in English
Hotei (布袋尊)
- Other names: Hotei (布袋), etc.
- Divinity: A Shinto/Buddhist god of children, marital happiness, etc.
- Blessings: Good fortune, matrimonial happiness, pregnancy, matchmaking, prosperous business, economic fortune, good health, etc
Highlights
The Main Building
In 1845, the main hall of Hashiba Fudoson Temple was built. The building has remained as it is since then.
Tokyo has experienced massive fire disasters many times. Some examples are the Great Fire of Yoshihara in 1911, the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, and the Bombing of Tokyo in 1945.
Hashiba Fudoson Temple and its neighborhood escaped all these difficulties. Therefore, local people call this temple “Hashiba Fudoson Temple of Firefighting.”
The Sacred Ginkgo Tree
When you visit Hashiba Fudoson Temple, a gigantic ginkgo tree welcomes you near the temple’s main hall. The official Website says this tree is over 700 years old.
This ginkgo tree was a landmark for those who came and went on the Sumida River near the temple. Nowadays, some worshipers consider this large ginkgo tree as a spiritual tree and even hug it to receive the sacred energy.
The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa (Hotei)
Hotei at Hashiba Fudoson Temple is one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa. The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa refer to the seven lucky gods enshrined at nine Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Taito Ward and Arakawa Ward of Tokyo.
Making a pilgrimage to these nine sites is one good example of enjoying the Asakusa area. People usually pilgrimage to the Seven Lucky Gods during the New Year. But you can visit the Seven Luck Gods of Asakusa on other days.
For more information about the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa, please refer to the following blog post:
Other Useful Information
Opening Hours
- From 09:00 to 16:30
TEL
- 03-3872-5532
Address
- Hashiba 2-14-19, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0023
Google Map
Public Transport (Train)
- 20 minutes on foot from Minami-Senju Station on the JR Line
- 20 minutes on foot from Minami-Senju Station onthe Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
- 20 minutes on foot from Minami-Senju Station on the Joban Line
- 20 minutes on foot from Minami-Senju Station on the Tsukuba Express Line
- 20 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line
Public Transport (Megurin Bus)
- 7 minutes on foot from #8 Hashiba 1-Chome Stop on Megurin North Route (via Asakusa)
- 1 minutes on foot from #12 Hashiba 2-Chome Apaato-Mae Stop on Megurin North-South Route
If you want to visit Hashiba Fudoson Temple from Minowa Station on the Hibiya Line, take Megurin North Route (via Asakusa.) On the other hand, if you go to this temple from Asakusa Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line or Imado Shrine, take Megurin North-South Route.
Megurin Bus is a community bus operated by Taito Ward of Tokyo. This bus is very convenient when you are sightseeing in the Asakusa area. For more information about Megurin Bus, please refer to the following blog post:
Public Transport (Bus)
- 1 minutes on foot from Hashiba 2-Chome Apaato-mae Stop on Toei Bus Route Kusa-42-3 (草 42-3)
If you want to visit Hashiba Fudoson Temple from any Minami-Senju Station, take Toei Bus Route Kusa-42-3. This bus is also convenient when you go to Asakusa, including Sensoji Temple, from Hashiba Fudoson Temple.
Public Restroom Availability
- No.
References
