About
In a tranquil corner of Tomizuka, Shiroi City, Chiba Prefecture, stands Torimi Shrine, quietly transcending the flow of time. Deep within its precincts, surrounded by lush green trees, sits a small shrine housing the secret Buddhist deity “Kangiten,” enshrined in silence. This Kangiten was dedicated in 1771 (Meiwa 8) by associates of Saiwanji Temple to commemorate the reconstruction of the guest hall. (city.shiroi.chiba.jp)
Kangiten, also known as Great Holy Kangiten or Shoten, is a Buddhist guardian deity with a unique appearance: a human body with an elephant’s head. The statue is depicted as a dual-bodied image of a male and female deity embracing, and has long been worshipped by many as a god of harmonious relationships, matchmaking, and blessings of children. In ancient Indian mythology, this deity appeared as a villain who tempted Buddhist practitioners, but was later incorporated into Buddhism and reborn as a guardian deity who removes obstacles and difficulties. (city.shiroi.chiba.jp)
Upon entering the grounds of Torimi Shrine, a row of Koshin-to (Koshin monuments) can be seen on the left side of the approach. Among them, the most striking is the Koshin-to known as “Kirare Koshin” (Cut Koshin). This monument was erected in 1706 (Hoei 3), and was originally placed beside a road called Sengyomichi. According to legend, one night a fishmonger transporting fish was attacked by a fireball. In terror, he swung his sword and accidentally struck and damaged this Koshin-to. The scar remains to this day, quietly telling the story of that time. (tesshow.jp)
Further into the grounds stands the main hall, built in 1812 (Bunka 9). This main hall is constructed in the Ikkensha Nagare-zukuri style, made entirely of unfinished zelkova wood, and is adorned with magnificent carvings throughout. Especially notable are the eave pillars, where dragons are exquisitely carved from single blocks of wood, making this a rare and valuable example of shrine architecture in the prefecture. The wall panels are decorated with carvings based on the theme of the “Twenty-four Filial Exemplars,” with the south side depicting “Yang Xiang,” the west side “Tang Woman,” and the north side “Guo Ju.” (tesshow.jp)
In this way, the grounds of Torimi Shrine are dotted with numerous cultural properties imbued with history and legend. Visiting the shrine of Kangiten and offering prayers in its silence, one is enveloped in a mysterious atmosphere that transcends time. This is truly a hidden gem that offers visitors deep inspiration and peace of mind.