To continue with a little more detail (referring to previous post about red underwear) about the town of Sugamo: one of the reasons Sugamo became such a mecca for the elderly is the Togenuki Jizo, best described here:
...the Togenuki Jizo* or Koganji Temple is located along Sugamo main street. This temple is very well known among locals and out-of-towners as a place that cures the ill. Devotees gather here daily seeking freedom from their respective aches and pains and suffering; offering prayers to Enmei Ksitigarbha (Togenuki Jizo), who is believed to cure any illness. Legend has it that a housemaid once swallowed a sewing needle and was cured by eating a paper with a picture of the Jizo on it, the needle atached itself to the paper and she was cured. Hence visitors to the temple often say their prayers and eat the paper (which can be purchased for a small sum) in order to be cured. A prominent feature at the temple, however, is the statue of the Arai Kannon (Goddess of Mercy). It is believed that by bathing the statue and offering prayers, she too will cure aches and pains. The temple comes to life in Sugamo during the Grand Festival of Togenuki Jizo held each year.
...the Togenuki Jizo* or Koganji Temple is located along Sugamo main street. This temple is very well known among locals and out-of-towners as a place that cures the ill. Devotees gather here daily seeking freedom from their respective aches and pains and suffering; offering prayers to Enmei Ksitigarbha (Togenuki Jizo), who is believed to cure any illness. Legend has it that a housemaid once swallowed a sewing needle and was cured by eating a paper with a picture of the Jizo on it, the needle atached itself to the paper and she was cured. Hence visitors to the temple often say their prayers and eat the paper (which can be purchased for a small sum) in order to be cured. A prominent feature at the temple, however, is the statue of the Arai Kannon (Goddess of Mercy). It is believed that by bathing the statue and offering prayers, she too will cure aches and pains. The temple comes to life in Sugamo during the Grand Festival of Togenuki Jizo held each year.
Togenuki can also be a word for tweezers; some of the Sugamo shops had decorative tweezers for sale.
(http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/asia/japan/tokyo/togenuki-jizo-koganji-temple-thingstodod
detail-666546/)
Just outside the temple is a statue of Kannon, Goddess of Mercy. Custom has it that you pour water and wash her in the hopes she will bless your ailing body parts... that's a photo of me participating in the washing ritual, I am payingparticular attention to her legs and feet....
we were exploring Tokyo walking miles and miles...and my body parts were feeling it!
The wooden box is for offerings, the bamboo dippers are for scooping the water, the plastic tray holds the washing cloths. With a patron saint of pain relief in Sugamo's temple, it was only natural that Sugamo became a destination for the elderly. Even the street curbs are lower than standard, to help prevent tripping.
Interestingly enough, in the book Shock of Gray (2010) author Ted C. Fishman mentions Sugamo. A great place to visit if you want to be considered a youngster at age 60....
Shock of Gray--- and the real shock of looking in the mirror...happened to me in earnest about five years ago...
No comments:
Post a Comment