About
When walking through the town of Shibamata, one’s eyes are drawn to Kyoeizan Daikyoji Temple, commonly known as Shibamata Taishakuten, standing by the banks of the Edogawa River. This temple was founded in 1629 (the 6th year of the Kan’ei era) by two Nichiren Buddhist monks, Zenna-in Nichuchu and Daikyo-in Nichiei. Upon entering the temple grounds, visitors are greeted by the Nitenmon Gate, constructed entirely from zelkova wood. This gate was built in 1896 (the 29th year of the Meiji era) and houses statues of the two guardian deities, Zochoten and Komokuten. Passing through the gate, the Taishakudo Hall stands directly ahead, enshrining a wooden image of Taishakuten said to have been carved by Saint Nichiren himself. This image was discovered atop a beam during the reconstruction of the main hall in 1779 (the 8th year of the An’ei era), and since the day of its discovery was a Koshin day, every Koshin day—once every sixty days—became a temple fair. Within the temple grounds, there is also a sculpture gallery featuring elaborate carvings based on stories from the Lotus Sutra, as well as the beautiful Suikeien, a traditional pond-style garden, both of which soothe the hearts of visitors. Additionally, the temple is known as the setting for the film series “It’s Tough Being a Man,” and the sacred spring where Tora-san is said to have had his first bath also wells up on the grounds. Shibamata Taishakuten is a place where history, culture, and people’s faith are alive, leaving a deep impression on all who visit.