Like many Buddhist temples, Hasedera has a number of shrines dedicated to Shinto deities. Originally Buddhism and Shinto were at odds; later they found a relatively peaceful coexistence. In Japan, one can be both a Buddhist and a Shinto practitioner
A shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the Shinto goddess of the sea, the fine arts, and good fortune in general. The only female among the seven traditional deities of fortune, she is often pictured with a lute. A cave complex nearby, Benzaiten Grotto, is also dedicated to her. You can go in, but watch out: low ceilings abound.
Another shrine dedicated to Daikokuten or Onikushi, the Shinto deity associated with wealth, good luck, and the kitchen.
A statue of Daikokuten dated to the 15th century.
Climbing up the stairs to the main hall, one passes this tree that has rotted out over the hillside.
Jizo. Small statues which are placed for children which which were miscarried, stillborn, or otherwise died before being born. It is estimated there are 50,000 jizo at Hasedera.
Memorialising the unborn, that should be worldwide.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly gives a physicality to an otherwise rather sterile number.
DeleteOver the years, I've come across a number of displays memorializing various things. Like the one you showed, seeing physical representations of the numbers is most sobering.
ReplyDeleteEd, it makes for a very real and sobering experience.
DeleteIt reminds me of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Seeing the list of names makes it really in a way that the numbers do not.
W. in CA
ReplyDeleteTomorrow's blog - Japanese soccer fans clean up Wembly Stadium after the game!
W - The difference in cultures is really noticeable.
DeleteInteresting. Especially the little statues for the pre-born dead. That would not go over well here at all.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, they very well would not. To the comments above, we prefer not to be reminded.
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