About
In a quiet corner of Takanawa, just a step away from the bustle of Tokyo, stands the tranquil Kofuku-ji Temple. When you step into the temple grounds, the passage of time seems to slow, and the noise of the city fades into the distance. Deep within the grounds, enveloped in silence, sits a mysterious Jizo statue known as the “Ghost Jizo.”
This Jizo statue, weathered by the elements, has a face with blurred contours and a lower body that appears thin and almost vanishing. Its appearance is ghostly, leaving a mystical impression on those who see it. There is a legend about this Jizo that has been passed down since the Edo period.
Long ago, there was a candy shop in this area, and every night, even on rainy days, a mother and child would come to buy candy without using an umbrella. The shopkeeper, finding this strange, decided to follow them. The mother and child entered the grounds of Kofuku-ji and disappeared in front of this Jizo statue. When the temple priest heard this story and held a memorial service for the Jizo, it is said that the mother and child never appeared again. (imidas.jp)
Because of this legend, the Jizo came to be called the “Ghost Jizo.” Today, it is revered as the “Koyasu Jizo,” and people visit to pray for safe childbirth and child-rearing. It is also registered as a tangible folk cultural property of Minato Ward, and its historical value is recognized. (minato-rekishi.com)
Within the grounds of Kofuku-ji, there are many other stone Buddhas and historical structures scattered about, offering visitors tranquility and peace. Why not take a moment to calm your mind in this place, where history and legend live on, away from the bustle of the city?