Zōjō-ji is notable for its relationship with the Tokugawa clan, the rulers of Japan during the Edo period, with six of the Tokugawa shōguns being buried in the Taitoku-in Mausoleum in the temple grounds. Also, the temple's Sangedatsumon (main gate) is the oldest wooden building in Tokyo, dating from 1622. The original buildings, temples, mausoleums and the cathedral were destroyed by fire, natural disasters or air raids during World War II.[3]
It is located in the Shiba neighborhood of Minato. The Shiba Park is built around the temple, with the Tokyo Tower standing beside it. In 2015 a Treasure Gallery was opened on the underground level of the Daiden (great hall), and it currently houses paintings of Kanō Kazunobu and a model of the Taitoku-in Mausoleum.
The temple remains active "as the main temple of Jodo shu and the central nembutsu seminary for priests and novices."[4]
History
Shūei (宗叡, 809-884), a disciple of Kūkai, founded a temple named Kōmyō-ji (光明寺) at Kaizuka (貝塚, present-day Kōjimachi in Chiyoda, Tokyo);[5] it is said to have been the forerunner of Zōjō-ji. In 1393, during the Muromachi period, the temple, under its abbot Yūyo Shōsō, converted from Shingon to the Jōdo school. Shōsō is thus regarded as the founder of Zōjō-ji.[6]
With the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, the grounds took on the character of a public park. The temple was badly damaged in World War II, but still retains the air of a major temple.[9]
Architecture
At its peak the temple grounds had more than 120 buildings, but following the decline of Buddhism during the Meiji period (1868-1912), most of them burned during the Bombing of Tokyo in World War II. Reconstruction began after the war, with the Daiden (great hall) being rebuilt in 1974.[9]
Sangedatsumon (main gate)Mausoleum of TaitokuinMausoleum of SugeninInner gate leading to the MausoleumJizō statues at the cemeteryCherry BlossomsSetsubunBon Festival
Sangedatsumon
The 21 meter (69 foot) two-storied main gate, Sangedatsumon (三解脱門) was constructed in 1622,[9] and it is therefore the oldest wooden building in Tokyo.[10] The temple's only original structure to survive the Second World War,[11] it has been designated an Important Cultural Property.
"San" (三) means "three", and "Gedatsu" (解脱) means "Moksha". If someone passes through the gate, he can free himself from three passions (貪 Ton; "greed", 瞋 Shin; "hatred", 癡 Chi; "foolishness").[9]
On the upper floor are enshrined an image of Gautama Buddha flanked by two attendants, and statues of the Sixteen Arhats.[9]
In one particular garden at the cemetery, rows of stone statues of children represent unborn children, including miscarried, aborted, and stillborn children. Parents can choose a statue in the garden and decorate it with small clothing and toys. Usually the statues are accompanied by a small gift for Jizō, the guardian of unborn children, to ensure that they are brought to the afterlife. Occasionally stones are piled by the statue; this is meant to ease the journey to the afterlife.
Other structures
Daiden (Great Hall) 1974
Ankokuden
Sutra Repository
Treasures Gallery
Bell Tower
Enko Daishi Hall
Koshoden
Access
There is no admission fee for visitors to enter the temple complex.[13] For the Treasure Gallery museum the access fee is (as of 2024[update], 700 yen).[14]
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