Bishamonten and Tokugawa Ieyasu | A power spot in Hiroo introduced in the 'Edo Meisho Zue'.
The 'Edo Meisho Zue' is a travel guidebook from the Edo period. Within it, Hiroo's Tamonzan Tengen-ji Temple is introduced.
Introduction
This is a guide to famous places in Edo and its suburbs, published in the late Edo period. It describes the origins, history, festivals, and customs of these famous sites in detail. It is richly illustrated with precise drawings by Settan Hasegawa.
Consisting of 20 volumes in 7 parts, it covers regions spanning Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba, and includes over a thousand famous sites. It is highly regarded as an extremely valuable resource for understanding the culture, customs, and life of the Edo period.
The work was compiled by three generations of the Saito family—Yukio, Yukitaka, and Yukinari—who were town headmen in Kanda. The illustrations were primarily handled by Settan Hasegawa. Compilation began during the Kansei era (1789-1801), with the first ten volumes published in the fifth year of the Tenpo era (1834) and the latter ten volumes in the seventh year of the Tenpo era (1836).
Cover and Table of Contents
Looking at the notes on the title, it appears Tengen-ji is listed in Volume 3, Part 7. Furthermore, 'Hiroo Bishamon-do' is listed at the very top of the table of contents.
Shoun-ji Temple
A temple located near Hiroo Subway Station that belongs to the same sect (Rinzai sect, Daitoku-ji school) as Tengen-ji.
Hiroo Bishamon-do
At the time, it seems it was called the Hiroo Bishamon-do.
The classical Chinese text in the center of the double-page spread of the commentary is a direct transcription from the Tokugawa Shogunate's official document, 'The Origin of Tamonzan Bishamontenno'.
First part of the commentary
It was entrusted to Nobuharu Abe, Lord of Settsu, who revered it. Later, it was passed down through the family of Hisanobu Sengoku, Lord of Inaba, and eventually housed at Shoun-ji Temple, where this temple was founded and it was enshrined here for the first time.
The record of the origin of the principal image is a text by the scholar Hayashi Nobumitsu and is a treasure of this temple.
Middle part of the commentary
Details of the transcribed 'Origin of Tamonzan Bishamontenno' are provided in the next article.
Second half of the commentary
Stone lantern of Emperor Koko's mausoleum
Located to the front left of the Bishamon-do hall, this is a stone lantern of great antiquity. It is said to have been donated by the Kanamori family, though it is unclear from when it dates.
Tsukushigahara
The plain south of the Shibuya River is known by this name. This area is also called the village of Toyosawa, which is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections and belongs to the Shibuya district.
Odori-mori Shinmeigu Shrine
Located to the south of Sagami-dono Bridge in the same area, on the right side of Tajima-cho. The betto (temple administrator) is Tenkichiso, and it is jointly managed by Hoon-ji Temple. The festival is held on May 28th. Tradition holds that during the reign of Emperor Go-Reizei, when Minamoto no Yoriyoshi was on an eastern expedition, he enshrined a white flag here.
Hiroo-ga-hara Plain
It seems that a peaceful landscape once spread across Hiroo.
Hiroo Waterwheel
It seems there was a watermill on the Hiroo River.
Conclusion
The 'Tamon-zan Bishamonten-no Engi' mentioned in the commentary on the Bishamon-do hall, as well as its detailed contents, are described in the following article.
Tengenji Temple Website