Daishin-ji, Buddhist temple in Bentengaoka, Japan
Daishin-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Bentengaoka area that follows Pure Land Buddhist principles with multiple prayer halls decorated with traditional Japanese architectural elements and religious objects. The buildings are arranged across the grounds with passages connecting them through the landscape.
The temple was founded in 1611 by Ryō-kō Shōnin and relocated to its current location in 1635 as part of Edo's urban expansion plan. This move was connected to broader changes in the city's development during the early Edo period.
The temple earned its nickname as The Shamisen Temple after becoming the final resting place for eleven generations of the Ishimura family, renowned for their craft of building this traditional stringed instrument. This connection to the instrument makers has given the place a special cultural identity.
The temple is best visited during daylight hours when the buildings and pathways are fully visible and easy to navigate. Walking the mountain paths requires careful attention to uneven ground and the natural terrain of the hillside.
Stone statues of Fudo-Myoo, Zizo Bosatsu, and Benzaintennyo are positioned along the mountain path leading to the main buildings, greeting visitors as they walk through. These religious figures are woven into the natural surroundings to create a spiritual quality throughout the grounds.
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