Most viewed - Sengakuji Temple & Gishisai 泉岳寺・義士祭 |
Gishisai: Kira's head strung on a spear is brought to Sengakuji temple.496 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.422 views
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After reporting to their lord, the group leaves the temple.354 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340 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.292 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255 views
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Grave of Lord Asano Naganori (Takumi-no-kami) (1667-1701) of Ako Province.212 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174 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.157 views
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The 47 masterless samurai then proceed to the nearby grave of their Lord Asano.144 views
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Gishisai on Dec. 14: Headed by Oishi Kuranosuke, the 47 loyal retainers arrive Sengakuji temple.143 views
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They cross the street full of cars. A Gishisai Festival is also held in Ako in Hyogo Prefecture.139 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138 views
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Asano clan grave137 views
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The graves all have headstones with the loyal retainer's name on it and age at death.136 views
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Oishi Kuranosuke's grave132 views
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After the Chumon is the Sanmon Gate which is the temple's main gate. Reconstructed in 1832. 山門126 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.126 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.125 views
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Names are clearly written on wooden plaques.123 views
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Heading to their lord's grave.123 views
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The gravestones all look alike. There is a map showing who is buried where.121 views
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Path to the Hondo temple hall. 本堂120 views
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Incense burner119 views
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Gishisai lanterns.114 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.109 views
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Soon after the 47 retainers committed seppuku on Feb. 4, 1703, they were buried here.109 views
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People buy incense sticks at the gravesite gate and place incense at all the graves.104 views
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The smoke can kill all the bugs in your fur or wool coat.103 views
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Pile of incense in front of a grave.98 views
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Worshippers pile on the incense98 views
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Very thick smoke, but not suffocating. People with asthma or lung problems might want to avoid this.96 views
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94 views
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