This article is also available in Japanese (日本語). You can refer to it from here.
We will introduce Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple in Asakusa of Tokyo, a Buddhist temple of the Sho-Kannon sect. This temple is quite different as you offer Daikon radish when you pray for the gods. In addition, this temple offers you one-of-a-kind alchemy to make any of your wishes.
This article contains helpful information for you to visit Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple. All the data is worth knowing, including its history, highlights, enshrined Shinto/Buddhist gods, benefits to worship, and access methods. Just reading this article will make this temple more interesting to you.
History
According to the temple, the origin of Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple dates back to the Asuka period. In the 3rd year of Empress Suiko (595 AD), the land was suddenly uplifted and became Mt. Matsuchiyama overnight. At that time, a golden dragon flew down and protected the mountain.
A severe drought hit this area in the 9th year of Empress Suiko (601 AD). The Eleven-Headed Guanyin Bodhisattva (十一面観世音菩薩) descended to the world in the form of Daishō Kangiten (大聖歓喜天) also known as Shōden (聖天). And she rescued the people, so the people began to worship Daishō Kangiten. That is the beginning of Matsuchiyama Shōden.
Enshrined Gods and Their Blessings
Daisho Kangiten (大聖歓喜天)
- Other names: Shoden (聖天), Zobiten (象鼻天), etc.
- Divinity: A Buddhist god of secular benefits.
- Blessings: Marital harmony, descendants prosperity, matchmaking, good health, prosperous business, etc.
Bishamonten (毘沙門天)
- Other names: Tamonten (多聞天), etc.
- Divinity: A Shinto/Buddhist god of treasure, war, etc.
- Blessings: Economic fortune, good fortune, prosperous business, success of competition, health and longevity, calamity prevention, etc.
Highlights
Daikon Radishes and Drawstring Bags
In the precincts of Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple, you can see daikon radishes (two-pronged ones) and drawstring bags (gold dust bags) here and there. These symbolize the benefits of Daishō Kangiten. While the daikon radish represents marital harmony, the prosperity of descendants, good marriage, and no illness, the drawstring bag represents a gold dust bag, which means prosperous business.
In addition, at Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple, we have a local custom to offer daikon radishes to Daishō Kangiten at the main hall to pray for physical and mental health. You can buy a daikon radish at the temple office, or you even can bring your own.
Yokuyu-Kito
People worship Daishō Kangiten as the most potent deity who can fulfill any wish. Yokuyu-Kitō is alchemy unique to this temple that further enhances the deity’s power by offering a memorial service to the deity.
If you ask the temple for Yokuyu-Kitō, the Buddhist monk will practice the alchemy every morning for a week. By doing so, people believe that Daishō Kangiten fulfills even wished that would otherwise be impossible. Therefore, many of the worshipers of this temple are aiming for this alchemy.
Sakura Rail (Monorail)
Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple provides a monorail called Sakura Rail (さくらレール) in the parking lot on the east side of the temple. This monorail will bring you to the summit of the Matsuchiyama Mountain. As the altitude of this mountain is about 10m, it is probably the shortest monorail in Japan.
Sakura Rail is open to worshipers free of charge, and it is available from 07:00 to 16:30. This monorail has only two seats; you should be patient if you want to use this monorail with a large number of people.
Tsuijibei Wall
When you climb the stairs on the approach to Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple, a part of the Tsuiiji wall remains on the right side. The Tsukiji wall is a sturdy wall made of alternating mud and roof tiles. Since the Azuchi-Momoyama period, this style of walls were widely used in samurai residences and temples to prevent the invasion of enemies.
There are few places in Tōkyō where you can see the Tsuijibei wall nowadays. Except for Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple, the Tsuijibei wall remains at Hōdoji Temple (報土寺) in Akasaka, Minato Ward and Kanonji Temple (観音寺) in Yanaka, Taito Ward.
Hiroshige Utagawa (歌川広重) drew the Tsuijibei wall of Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple in his Ukiyo-e. It is a tangible folk cultural property that retains the remnants of the Edo period.
Japanese Garden
There is also a Japanese garden that you can enjoy all year round in the precincts of Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple. Here, you can enjoy various plants such as hydrangea, weeping cherry, camellia, and maple. You also can enjoy large Nishikigois swimming elegantly in the pond in the garden. In addition to that, Jizo Bodhisattva, the guardian of the precincts and the family’s safety, is enshrined.
This Japanese garden is open to worshipers free of charge between 09:00 and 16:00.
The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa (Bishamonten)
Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple enshrines Bishamonten of the seven lucky gods, a Shinto god of war. Therefore, you can expect economic fortune, good fortune, prosperous business, success of competition, and other benefits by worshipping her.
Bishamonten at Matsuchiyama Shoden 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. Therefore, making a pilgrimage to these nine sites is one good example of enjoying the Asakusa area.
For more information about the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa, please refer to the following article:
Other Useful Information
Opening Hours
- From 09:00 to 16:00
TEL
- 03-3874-2030
Address
- Asakusa 7-4-1, Taito-Ku, Tokyo, 111-0032
Google Map
Public Transport (Train)
- 10 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
- 10 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line
- 10 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line
Public Restroom Availability
Yes. There is one next to the monorail stop in the parking area of the temple.
References
Conclusions
This time, we introduced Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple along the Sumida River in Asakusa. You may be surprised that there is a mountain in the Asakusa district, and there is a temple on top of it.
This temple has many must-see highlights, such as Daikon radishes and drawstring bags, Yokuyu-Kito, the Tsuijibei wall, and the Japanese garden.
When you visit the Asakusa district, be sure to visit Matsuchiyama Shōden Temple. You will feel the silence and solemnity that you wouldn’t expect from a temple in one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations.
