Tokyo - Chokoku-Ji Temple
Monday, August 04 2003 @ 06:22 AM | Contributed by: Oliver | Views: 2,372
 | In Tokyo, you can still find many small Temples and shrines. This Temple is located between Shibuya and Roppongi and features all a temple can offer, from a cemtary until ceremonial instruments. Its quite small, but there is not a lot of space left in Japan, and specially in Tokyo, all the large temples have been removed except a few. |
The Temple is located between the Nezu Museum and the Fuji Foto Film HQ.
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| The Temple and its cemetary from the outside. In this case, the Temple is well visible from the outside. Although it is located near a big street, the surrounding area is quiet. The larger house on the left is the hall where the buddha statue can be found. | ||
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| Looking back along the cemetary wall, one can see the nice alignment of lanterns behind a grave and th ebuddha statue that is placed further back. Inside the temple, there you can find the obligatory wash-basin, where you are supposed to clean yourself before praying in the temple. It is guarded by two copper dragons. The large spoons at the basin are made out of metal, whereas most of them used to be out of bamboo. | ||
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| The largest house which holds the buddha statue, is the only one with two floor height, which is due to the height of the statue. In front of it is a basin with sand, where visitors can put incense that can be bought inside. The buddha, about 6-8 meters high, is decorated with gold-plated leaves and flowers. | ||
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| The widest hall is located in the building oposite of the entrance. It holds a big donation box, in which you are supposed to toss coins, whose falling sound is supposed to bring luck. Inside is a large tatami area where the monks assemple to pray, and a central altair which is also nicely decorated. In the Front left corner, you can see a 2-Meter high cermonial drum. | ||
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| In the court, towards the left side, is a small pavillion which holds the bell. Ringing it is also supposed to bring luck. You can do this by swining the massive log attached to the two ropes towards it. | ||
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| There are several statues to be found the court | ||
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| At the moment when I was there, there was a funeral ceremony in one of the buildings. The car with the body parked in front of it. You can clearly see how a setup is made in wood instead of what we know in Europe for example. The body is usually burned. | ||
