Most viewed - Sengakuji Temple & Gishisai 泉岳寺・義士祭 |
Gishisai: Kira's head strung on a spear is brought to Sengakuji temple.509 views
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Leader of the 47 ronin, Oishi Kuranosuke goes in front of the Hondo hall and reported their successful capture of Kira.432 views
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After reporting to their lord, the group leaves the temple.363 views
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Large way going to the graves of the 47 ronin masterless samurai at Sengakuji temple. 四十七士墓所348 views
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The Gishisai on Dec. 14 marks the day when the 47 loyal retainers attacked and beheaded Kira to avenge their master (Lord Asano) in 1702. They then marched to Sengakuji to present the head to their master's grave. This is reenacted annually.306 views
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First built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612, Sengakuji temple belongs to the Zen Soto sect. This is the Chumon Gate, facing the south, the first gate most people pass through to enter Sengakuji temple. Reconstructed in 1836. 中門266 views
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Grave of Lord Asano Naganori (Takumi-no-kami) (1667-1701) of Ako Province.215 views
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At the gate to enter the graves of the 47 ronin, they sell incense sticks. 四十七士墓所の門179 views
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Statue of Oishi Kuranosuke, leader of the 47 loyal retainers. He's looking (glaring) east toward Edo. The temple grounds also have the Ako Samurai Memorial Hall and the well where they washed Kira's head.158 views
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The 47 masterless samurai then proceed to the nearby grave of their Lord Asano.146 views
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Gishisai on Dec. 14: Headed by Oishi Kuranosuke, the 47 loyal retainers arrive Sengakuji temple.145 views
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The graves all have headstones with the loyal retainer's name on it and age at death.141 views
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They cross the street full of cars. A Gishisai Festival is also held in Ako in Hyogo Prefecture.140 views
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Hondo temple hall. The original hall was destroyed during World War II. Reconstructed in 1953 in the Kamakura style. 本堂139 views
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Asano clan grave139 views
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Oishi Kuranosuke's grave134 views
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After the Chumon is the Sanmon Gate which is the temple's main gate. Reconstructed in 1832. 山門130 views
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Since it was during the Gishisai Festival on Dec. 14, banners are in front of the Hondo hall for the 47 loyal retainers of Ako. Read about it here.130 views
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During the Gishisai Festival in mid-Dec., the temple is especially crowded. This is the long line to enter the graves of the 47 loyal samurai retainers. The gravesite's gate up ahead was the back gate of the Ako estate in Tokyo. Later moved here.127 views
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Heading to their lord's grave.126 views
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Names are clearly written on wooden plaques.125 views
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The gravestones all look alike. There is a map showing who is buried where.123 views
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Path to the Hondo temple hall. 本堂122 views
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Incense burner120 views
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Gishisai lanterns.116 views
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Soon after the 47 retainers committed seppuku on Feb. 4, 1703, they were buried here.113 views
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On the Gishisai day or anniversary of the attack on Kira, there is an extra amount of people and incense smoke.111 views
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The smoke can kill all the bugs in your fur or wool coat.107 views
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People buy incense sticks at the gravesite gate and place incense at all the graves.106 views
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Pile of incense in front of a grave.101 views
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Worshippers pile on the incense101 views
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Very thick smoke, but not suffocating. People with asthma or lung problems might want to avoid this.99 views
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