Around Gokoku-ji

Just a few more photos of buildings and such around Gokoku-ji.

There is a variety of shrines and other buildings on the grounds of the temple. Some are newer dating from early 1900's, and some are much older, having survived Tokyo's fires and WWII bombings.

This is 薬師堂, Yakushi-do, another healing Buddha shrine. The bell shaped windows and other features are notable. The shrine was moved to this location in 1691, so it was one of the first buildings to become a part of Gokoku-ji.

I spent a little time here, along with this temple cat.

The cat was friendly. I took that as a good sign. Maybe the healing Buddha would keep me safe from the virus? Or at least a non-stressful trip home.

Speaking of trips, there are Jizo for that. And there are Jizo for other things. This one is Hitokoto Jizou. 

Actually this Jizo is a little unusual. Not just for travelers, but for people who desire something. The information I found was conflicting as to whether you can only pray for one thing, or only say one word when you pray to this Jizo. Either way, care is needed in deciding what you want to pray for.

I am not sure where this gate leads. But the wood work is impressive.

A temizuya for water purification.

Another Jizo. This is the Migawari Jizo, who is a protector of anyone who is suffering from being abused. Migawari Jizo will take your place in the conflict.

More sakura and a lovely white torii and toro.

I am not sure what shrine this is for. It is possible this leads to graves. Because there is a cemetery here also. And some rather important people are interred here. Prime ministers, Emperor Meiji concubines, and one of their sons, Prince Mikasa.

Because I spent a lot of time looking at buildings and more at Gokoku-ji, I did not spend time at 豊島岡墓地, Toshimagaoka Cemetery. This path is one of many that lead there. 

And this path leads to my last post about Gokoku-ji. And Mt Fuji. Sort of.

Exploring Zoshigaya

Because I had started from Zoshigaya Station, I was able to see a bit more of the area right there. This simple storefront for アルテリア・ベーカリー 雑司が谷店 , arteria bakery, really put the focus on their "delicious melon pan".

Near there is a picturesque shopping street. 鬼子母神大門 けやき並木 , Kishimojin Daimon Keyakinamiki, which would be a name for a gate for Kishimonjin Temple, and Keyakinamiki Street. It is popular with it's Showa era architecture and shops. The trees are zelkova and there are a couple that are over 600 years old.

Nearby trees were changing color including what looks like a pomegranate tree.  

It was a few weeks before Christmas and of course stores had displays. This one made me stop not because of odd assortment of figures, but that Santa. I had something very similar as a child. Along with a couple reindeer blow-ups.  

I headed back towards Ikebukuro, towards the Owl Road and the walkway lined with sakura trees. 

This is the road to the many temples between Zoshigaya and Iekbukuro. Still have to wait to see these sakura in bloom. 

 I stopped at 観静院, Kanjoin or Kansei-in Temple. I've seen it spelled both ways online. 

 Where I paid my respects to Lucky Goddess Benzaiten.

 I also stopped by 真乗院, Shinjoin Temple, where another Lucky God, Daikokuten has a shrine.

The little Inari Shinto Shrine still well taken care of.

I wrote about both temples previously. That post is here if you would like more information about them http://blukats.blogspot.com/2019/05/kanjoin-and-shinjoin-temples.html

I didn't really have a plan, just wanted to enjoy the afternoon and see some autumn color. So I revisited 威光山法明寺, Ikosan Homyoji Temple and it's Sanmon Gate. 

If you would like more information about this temple, I wrote about it here http://blukats.blogspot.com/2019/05/ikosan-homyoji-temple.html 

Besides seeing the Hondo at the temple, there were cats. 

 Heading back towards Zoshigaya Station there was a Jizo statue. This one is more likely to be for travelers.

A little different architecture for the area is the 東京フード製菓中医薬専門学校, Tokyo Food Seika Chuiyaku Senmongakkou, or Tokyo Life Science College. It's a culinary school that also teaches about health and beauty aspects of food, among other things. Their neo-classical styled building really stands out.

It may have been December but camellias were still beautifully blooming. 

Another Zoshigaya kitty.  

It was a lovely day to be out walking.

Enoshima Inner Shrine Okutsunomiya

One of the paths from the Samuel Cocking Garden is Oiwaya-michi. It is an old pilgrimage path that leads to the west side of Enoshima.

It's a lovely lane to walk down, surrounded by traditional styled Japanese buildings and a view of the Sea Candle.

On the way I passed Enoshima Daishi Buddhist Temple with it's vibrant colored Nio.

The shells of turban mollusks. 

Along the way I reached Yama Futatsu Valley, the dividing space between the two parts of Enoshima. The view is very pretty, although difficult to photograph from this spot.

The headlands of Yama Futatsu, a look-out point.

So many interesting shops along the way. I wish I had bought a box of these.

Even Enoshima has artistic storm drain covers. In Japan, it's popular to have symbols or images related to the area.

Moving on I reached the chozuya for the shrines here. 

Turtles again. Turtles are seen in several places here, including the roofs of shrines. In Japan, turtles are thought of having long lives, bringing good luck and support. As this one is doing here.

Again with the pyramid of three triangles, the Hojo family crest.

Besides turtles, cats.

Just past here there is a torii, that is said to date from 1185, given by Minamoto no Yoritomo, first shogun of Kamakura shogunate. No matter what the date, there is plenty on Enoshima that made me feel I had gone back in time.

I finally reached the furthest of the Munakata shrines, Outsunomiya. This shrine is dedicated to Tagarihime no mikoto, the third of the Munakata kami of the sea. It is said to have been built around 1841.

I don't know if this komainu looks fierce or happy.

While like the other shrines this is dedicated to the Munakata kami, with the honden directly behind it, there again are images of Benzaiten and Gozuryu. 

And cats.

Except they were not done with Gozuryu. Because next to Outsunomiya is Wadatsumi-no-miya, built in 1994.

The five headed dragon of Enoshima has his own shrine. The story about him is he use to be very destructive. Benzaiten heard the pleas of the people in the area and came down from the heavens. She caused the island of Enoshima to rise from the sea and chose to live there. Gozuryu fell in love with Benzaiten and wanted her to be his consort. Instead she convinced him to understand he was the cause of much hardship to the people there. The dragon understood the errors of his actions and pledged to do no more. He laid down facing Benzaiten's home, becoming a hill.

Walking a little further from these shrines, I found more shops. And the sea.

So many little alleys and walkways to explore. I am tempted to return to see what I missed.

I was really thirsty since it was a hot day and it was a lot of walking. I found Fujimi Dining Room still open for drinks even though they had closed for dining. Places on Enoshima do not stay open late.

   I took the chance to sit down on their outdoors balcony which overlooks Chigogafuchi. These rock outcroppings have tide pools and are a popular place to take in views of the ocean. There are sad stories about the area though. Long ago, two young women who were servants of the temples committed suicide there. Also down there are the Iwaya Caves which house more shrines. They were closed during my visit.

So instead I enjoyed the clear view of Sagami Bay and Oshima Island, barely visible on the horizon.

And drank a lot of water along with this very cold glass of Kirin beer. I feel like I was photographing an advertisement for them. Or a nice reminder of how my day ended.

Along with a view of the not easy to see but it's there Mount Fuji. If you look carefully you can see the outline of the mountain in the center of my photo. If you can't see it, my next post will help.