About
In a corner of Koishikawa, Bunkyo Ward, stepping into the grounds of Denzuin Temple reveals a space filled with silence and the weight of history. This site is known as the family temple of Odai-no-kata, the mother of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and has attracted the faith of many people since the Edo period.
Immediately upon entering the temple grounds, if you look to your left, you will notice a particularly striking mound. This is called the “Yubizuka” (Finger Mound), which was donated in the mid-1960s by Tokujirō Namikoshi, who was then the president of the Japan Shiatsu Association. Namikoshi was widely known for the phrase, “The heart of shiatsu is like a mother’s heart; when you press, the fountain of life springs forth,” and he devoted himself to the spread of shiatsu therapy. It is said that this mound was erected so that those involved in shiatsu could express gratitude to their own fingers and acknowledge their hard work.
Next to the Yubizuka, the Hōzō Jizō-son stands quietly. In the center is enshrined Jizō Bosatsu (Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva), flanked by Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva) on the right and Seishi Bosatsu (Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva) on the left. These three statues have long been objects of faith, offering peace and salvation to visitors.
Within the grounds of Denzuin, many other historical relics are scattered. For example, there is the grave of Odai-no-kata, the mother of Tokugawa Ieyasu, where one can reflect on her life and the history of the Tokugawa family. There is also the Hiyoku-zuka of Yaoya Oshichi and the temple page Kichisaburō, who appear in Edo-period literary works, allowing visitors to contemplate their tragic love story.
As you walk through the grounds, the nature of each season welcomes visitors. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in profusion; in summer, lush green trees provide cool shade; in autumn, colored leaves decorate the grounds; and in winter, a dignified air pervades the quiet. Denzuin, where the changing seasons and historical background are intertwined, is a place that leaves a deep impression on those who visit.
This place in Koishikawa, Bunkyo Ward, is special—a place where history, culture, and people’s feelings intersect. Why not tour the many historical sites, including the Yubizuka and Hōzō Jizō-son, and listen to the stories woven by the past and present?