Home > TOKYO 東京都 > Minato-ku 港区 > Sengakuji Temple & Gishisai 泉岳寺・義士祭

Most viewed - Sengakuji Temple & Gishisai 泉岳寺・義士祭
s037-IMG_2374.jpg
Gishisai: Kira's head strung on a spear is brought to Sengakuji temple.496 views
s039-IMG_2377.jpg
Leader of the 47 ronin, Oishi Kuranosuke goes in front of the Hondo hall and reported their successful capture of Kira.422 views
s042-IMG_2383.jpg
After reporting to their lord, the group leaves the temple.354 views
s019-IMG_2348.jpg
Large way going to the graves of the 47 ronin masterless samurai at Sengakuji temple. 四十七士墓所340 views
s038-IMG_2376.jpg
Kira's head presented to the Hondo hall. Also see my YouTube video here.308 views
s035-IMG_2369.jpg
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
s043-IMG_2384.jpg
275 views
s010-IMG_2266.jpg
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
s016-IMG_2360.jpg
Grave of Lord Asano Naganori (Takumi-no-kami) (1667-1701) of Ako Province.212 views
s015-IMG_2353.jpg
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
s034-IMG_2381.jpg
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
s040-IMG_2379.jpg
The 47 masterless samurai then proceed to the nearby grave of their Lord Asano.144 views
s036-IMG_2370.jpg
Gishisai on Dec. 14: Headed by Oishi Kuranosuke, the 47 loyal retainers arrive Sengakuji temple.143 views
s044-IMG_2388.jpg
They cross the street full of cars. A Gishisai Festival is also held in Ako in Hyogo Prefecture.139 views
s013-IMG_2271.jpg
Hondo temple hall. The original hall was destroyed during World War II. Reconstructed in 1953 in the Kamakura style. 本堂138 views
s017-IMG_2356.jpg
Asano clan grave137 views
s021-IMG_2292.jpg
The graves all have headstones with the loyal retainer's name on it and age at death.136 views
s028-IMG_2315.jpg
Oishi Kuranosuke's grave132 views
s011-IMG_2268.jpg
After the Chumon is the Sanmon Gate which is the temple's main gate. Reconstructed in 1832. 山門126 views
s014-IMG_2273.jpg
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
s015-IMG_2276.jpg
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
s027-IMG_2309.jpg
Names are clearly written on wooden plaques.123 views
s041-IMG_2380.jpg
Heading to their lord's grave.123 views
s031-IMG_2331.jpg
The gravestones all look alike. There is a map showing who is buried where.121 views
s012-IMG_2269.jpg
Path to the Hondo temple hall. 本堂120 views
s018-IMG_2287.jpg
Incense burner119 views
s020-IMG_2365.jpg
Gishisai lanterns.114 views
s023-IMG_2299.jpg
On the Gishisai day or anniversary of the attack on Kira, there is an extra amount of people and incense smoke.109 views
s029-IMG_2343.jpg
Soon after the 47 retainers committed seppuku on Feb. 4, 1703, they were buried here.109 views
s022-IMG_2293.jpg
People buy incense sticks at the gravesite gate and place incense at all the graves.104 views
s024-IMG_2303.jpg
The smoke can kill all the bugs in your fur or wool coat.103 views
s033-IMG_2320.jpg
Pile of incense in front of a grave.98 views
s032-IMG_2339.jpg
Worshippers pile on the incense98 views
s025-IMG_2304.jpg
Very thick smoke, but not suffocating. People with asthma or lung problems might want to avoid this.96 views
s030-IMG_2326.jpg
96 views
s026-IMG_2295.jpg
94 views
36 files on 1 page(s)