Marcionの匣
お悩み相談
Oh Yeah, Let's Pay the Jizo Status a Visit.
As the peach buds swell, the full-fledged spring is finally approaching.
When it comes to April, it is the season when the environment changes greatly due to moving to higher education or the next grade.
My daughter's transfer to preschool has also been decided, and my heart is still pounding, thinking, "How do I commute with her?"
It's not like you can't walk, but you get pressed for time in the morning.
The most convenient is a bicycle, but could I ride a bicycle with my two daughters on it?
It would be better to take the bus on a rainy day, but waiting for it is a hassle.
As an unorganized writer, I can't decide on a means of transportation, but what's most important is safety!
Come to think of it, I heard that there are “traffic safety Kanzeon Bodhisattva” statues all over the country, but is there one nearby?
I was curious and looked it up, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be in the neighborhood.
However, there may be a "traffic safety Jizoson"!?
When I tried to collect information on the Internet,
it became clear that the traffic safety Jizoson exists at Sanpoji Temple in Nerima!
However, no matter how much I look it up, I couldn't find the official website of the temple.
Reading the blogs of those who have visited, I can tell that it is a very large temple, so I wonder if I can find the traffic safety Jizo by chance?
I was a little worried, but I thought it was a lucky day.
So, as a family, we paid a visit to a traffic safety Jizoson!
Let's go, Sanpoji.
First, I arrived at Kamishakujii Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line from my house.
According to Google Maps, it says to ride the Midori Bus, but...
What is this "Midori Bus"?! I've never ridden it before...
There is only one place where the bus can stop near the north exit of Kamishakujii Station.
As soon as I went to the bus stop, there was also a timetable for the Midori Bus at the same stop as the Kanto Bus and Seibu Bus!
However, at first glance, I was shocked! Only one bus runs every hour.
I was surprised to find that there is only one bus per hour at major stations in Tokyo's 23 wards (Kamishakujii is considered a major station because express trains stop there).
However…
When I checked the time, it turned out that the next bus was in 5 minutes! What a miracle!
After waiting exactly 5 minutes, the Midori Bus arrived.
It was a small community bus.
If get off at JA Aoba Station, you'll see Shakujii Elementary School on your left.
On the map, it should have been right after turning left.
As I was walking while suppressing the feeling of anxiousness, a splendid sanmon gate immediately popped into my eyes.
In front of the temple gate, a notice board reads: "Nerima's famous tree."
However…
"Dojoji Temple!?"
The name of the temple is different. When I checked the map again, it was a temple next to my destination, Sanpoji Temple.
The cherry blossoms were so beautiful that I decided to take a short detour.
Bell tower. Kawazu-zakura on the right and Kanhi-zakura on the left.
A kaleidoscope-like beauty!
After leaving Dojoji Temple and going further, I soon saw a stone monument with “Sanpoji Temple” written on it.
Take a Walk Around the Temple via an Internet Search!
As far as I can see, there is no doubt that it is a very large temple.
As soon as I set foot on the approach, I was taken aback.
This is because there was a Jizo statue on the right.
Moreover, the characters for "Traffic Safety Jizoson"!
This is exactly the Jizo I have been looking for!
I immediately put my hands on it.
It is not uncommon to see Jizo statues erected within the precincts of temples.
However, the Jizo statue at Sanpoji Temple looked very new, probably because it was built recently.
I searched around for any mention of the history, but there was none.
Later, when I asked the people of the temple about it,
they told me that it was dedicated by a parishioner.
Standing in front of the large and splendid Jizo,
a feeling of quiet sadness welled up.
What is the Traffic Safety Jizoson?
It is often erected to warn of dangerous places such as railroad crossings and intersections, or to commemorate the victims of accidents.
Even if it's tough to see the cenotaphs and monuments of traffic accidents, you can relax and gently put your hands together before a Jizo with a gentle face.
Eradicating traffic accidents is a dream for everyone.
In fact, traffic safety Jizosons have been erected all over the country, with places where traffic accidents and fatalities have been eliminated thanks to them.
Since I came all the way to Sanpoji Temple, I decided to pay a visit.
◆Sanpoji Temple Gate
As Tokugawa Iemitsu used it as a resting place for hunting, it was called Onarimon and was forbidden for commoners to pass through.
While biting the thought that "If times were different, I could have not passed", I proceeded inside.
◆Bell Tower
Built in 1973, the temple bell is a cultural asset designated by Nerima Ward.
Around the bell tower, the plum blossoms were in full bloom.
◆Daikokudo
At the entrance of Daikokudo, a "good luck success mallet'' was placed.
You dedicate a gold leaf to the mallet and pray for the fulfillment of your heart's desire.
Perhaps attracted by the word "success," my husband put his hands together seriously.
Daikokudo and Jizodo
In the Daikokudo, there were omamori and omikuji good luck charms.
◆Chozuya
Many temples have stopped using the chozuya as a measure against COVID-19.
I checked there to be a ladle, and it turned out to be a motion-sensing system where water would flow when someone approaches!
I was shocked by the modernization of the temple.
Chozuya
Incense sticks can be purchased in front of the main hall.
◆Main hall
Sanpoji Temple is said to have been founded in 1394 by Daitokugon Daizo Zukoson Hoin. In 1477, Ota Dokan moved here, and in 1591, it was a goshuin temple that was given 10 stones. The wooden tag has the description "Kanto Thirty-Six Fudo Sacred Sites" and "Gofunai Eighty-Eight Sacred Sites."
◆Kannondo
In the Kannondo, there is a description of the "Musashino Thirty-Tree Kannon" and "Great Tokyo One Hundred Kannon Sacred Site".
From here, you can see that various sacred sites overlap.
◆Eleven-Faced Kannon Statue
As I walked further from the main hall, I saw a large Kannon statue.
This time, I came here with the purpose of asking Jizo to pray for traffic safety, but I was also quite blessed to be able to see the majestic Kannon!
Kannondo
Eleven-faced Kannon statue
◆Shikoku Eighty-Eight Temples' Sand Pilgrimage
I'd like to visit the Shikoku 88 places someday, but it would be a luxury for me as it takes time and money
In the precincts of Sanpoji Temple, there are the 88 places in Shikoku where you can step on the sand, and the divine is written on each stone monument. It is said that visiting the Shikoku 88 stone monuments will give you the same benefits as visiting the Shikoku 88 temples.
I tried it because I was there, but the last part had a lot of ups and downs with the stairs.
It was close to winter, so it was a bit dark and cool, but I thought about how mosquitoes would come out in summer.
◆Daishido (Okunoin)
After some sand stepping, the climax is a visit to Daishido.
A sand-stepping sacred site
Daishido
◆Nagaya Gate
The nagaya gate on the east side of the sanmon gate is said to have been relocated from Kaishu Katsu's mansion.
Reclaim Your "Purpose"
今Today, I was able to visit Nerima's ancient temple Sanpoji after paying a visit to a Jizo.
After all, no matter how convenient the Internet is,
there are many things that you just can't understand unless you go and see them with your own hands and feet.
However, due to various reasons such as the fact that the Jizo was found early, the precincts of Sanpoji Temple were larger than I imagined, and I took the sand stepping seriously, the original purpose of "praying for traffic safety" was getting become a bit distant… Reflecting now.
On my way home, I'm going back the way I came from...!
A place facing an intersection, like it's watching for traffic safety.
The Jizo at the corner of Dojoji Temple also has the word “traffic safety” on it!
Oh yeah, we have to travel safely until we get home!
In the beginning of spring, praying for safety in the journey of life,
To everyone heading to the new world,
Bon voyage!
Upper right: Sutra office
Lower right: Guide map of the Shikoku 88 sand-stepping sacred sites