About
On the banks of the Tama River, in a quiet corner of Noge, Setagaya Ward, stands Eikozan Zenyo-ji Temple. It is said that this temple was relocated from Fukazawa Village to its current location in the early Edo period, during the Keian era (1648–1651). The founding priest was Ajari Yuei, who is recorded to have passed away in Keian 5 (1652). (tesshow.jp)
Upon entering the temple grounds, the first thing that catches the eye is a massive Japanese nutmeg-yew tree, estimated to be 700 to 800 years old. This tree has been designated a Natural Monument of Tokyo, and its imposing presence overwhelms visitors. According to legend, the origin of this tree lies in a story where a parent and child of freshwater crabs, saved from a flood of the Tama River, brought a nutmeg-yew seed as a token of gratitude, which was then planted by a local noble’s daughter. (marukokawa.exblog.jp)
The main hall was constructed in 1961 (Showa 36), modeled after the Golden Hall of Toshodaiji Temple in Nara. Its vivid vermilion color and verdigris roof convey the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture to the present day. The principal image, a seated wooden and lacquered statue of Dainichi Nyorai, stands at an imposing height of about 1.2 meters. (tesshow.jp)
Within the temple grounds, instead of the usual guardian lion-dogs, there are stone statues of a mythical divine beast called “Kaida.” Revered as a deity for fire prevention, these statues are extremely rare, with only five existing in the world. (ameblo.jp) In addition, there are various other stone statues such as elephants, turtles, and kappa, delighting the eyes of visitors.
Zenyo-ji is also known as the 32nd sacred site of the Tamagawa 88 Pilgrimage, and pilgrims visit it continuously. Furthermore, within the grounds, there is a New Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage, established in the Taisho era, with small shrines built on sand received from each of the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku. It is said that visiting these shrines brings the same spiritual merit as making the Shikoku pilgrimage itself. (zenyo-ji.jp)
Additionally, a memorial monument stands on the grounds to console the victims of the great eruption of Mt. Asama in 1783 (Tenmei 3). This monument was erected in Kansei 7 (1795), the thirteenth anniversary of the eruption, and was designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Tokyo in 1973 (Showa 48). (zenyo-ji.jp)
Zenyo-ji is a place where history, nature, and diverse cultures merge. While feeling the flow of the Tama River, visitors can spend a tranquil moment calming their hearts in the silence.