Asakusa

Asakusa is probably most famous for it's Buddhist temple Senso-ji. Ancient ways and the spiritual core are what interests me most about Japan. You might ask "Well, why did you go to Tokyo then? Are you an idiot?" Good question, and I have a good answer which I'm not going to tell you. Fortunately, Tokyo is well balanced, technologically and spiritually about half way between Osaka and Kyoto.

The temple is the oldest in Tokyo and was founded on my birthday (only a few years earlier in 628) when 2 fishermen discovered a statue of the Goddess of Mercy in a river. The Goddess is called 'Kannon' in Japanese, although she is also known as Guan yin, the Chinese Goddess of compassion and she was originally a he. As Buddhism spread from India across Asia to Korea and Japan, many things were adapted, although it is thought that giving Guan Yin a sex is misleading anyway. (Do Gods bonk?)




You can just make out a browny-gray thing hanging up on the gate here in the bottom left quarter of the picture. This is a GIANT sandal which the guardians of the temple wore. The Guardians are called Nio and are supposed to be the manifestations of Vajrapani, Buddha's protector and guide.

Below are images from Thunder Gate "Kaminarimon" which stands at the entrance to Senso-ji. The Shinto Gods Raijin and Fujin guard this entrance. Shinto and Buddhism are happy bedfellows, just slightly different paths up the same mountain.










Here, offerings were made to Kannon. There is protocol: Throw your coin(s) in; clap your hands to wake the deity; offer your prayer. I left one very special prayer at every temple I went to. I'm hoping at least one of the deities were awake.