A Walk around Tamagawa Daishi, Sougen-ji Temple and Yanaka Ginza (Part 1) / 玉川大師、曹源寺と谷中銀座の散歩 （パート１）

I can't remember if it was our influence or not but one of my wife's friends had also started to collect temple and shrine seals. As she lives in Yamanashi Prefecture, she doesn't make it out to Tokyo much. However, we were planning on hanging out together to do a little shrine and temple pilgrimage. Our first destination would be in Futakotamagwa. We were heading to Tamagawa Daishi. What's special about this temple is the sacred site underground. Our other destination is Sougen-ji Temple, also known as the Kappa Temple (kappa being water demon in Japanese folklore). It's said that Sougen-ji Temple houses a the remains of a kappa's hand. My wife's friend made reservations at the temple so we would be able to see it.

私たちの影響がどうが覚えてないが、妻の友達も御朱印を集めるようになった。彼女は山梨県に住んでるので中々東京まで足を運ばない。でもある週末彼女と約束して東京のお寺や神社を巡る。二箇所は前から決めていた。二子玉川にある玉川大師と台東区にある曹源寺（通称かっぱ寺）。玉川大師に地下霊場があって、曹源寺には河童の手があるという噂も聞き、妻の友達が曹源寺にその河童の手が見られる様、予約を入れました。

As we were walking to Tamagawa Daishi from Futakotamagawa Station, I couldn't help noticing the public art. I love taking pictures of public art as much as I do the shrines and temples. This piece is by an artist called Shin Hongo. The piece is titled [Bird] and is located in front of the Takashimaya Department store.

玉川大師を向かってる途中、気になる彫刻を発見。実は僕が街の彫刻の写真を撮るのが大好き。この彫刻の作者は新本郷。タイトルが「鳥の碑」。

This looked like something that needing exploring.

ここも探索するべきと思って、調べてみた。

Let's see - "Ta no Kami : Kodakara to Kenko". The Ta no Kami is a God of Peasants and appears to be a protector of chidren and health. Of course I'm only guessing.

さて、「田之神　子宝と健康」。やっぱり農耕民を守る神みたいですね。

Perhaps these represented the peasants or farmers.

この二人は農耕民に代表ですかね。手にはしゃもじが持ってる。

And this appears to be a fire prevention well.

そしてこれが防災用の井戸でした。

Here we are at our first destination. Most people know it as Tamagawa Daishi but the official name is Gyokushin-in.

最初の目的に到着。玉川大師です。玉川大師は通称の名前です。正式名は玉眞院 （ぎょくしんいん）。

Hand purification basin / 手水舎

I don't know, the rock doesn't look natural.

この岩なんか不自然に見える。

Inside the temple. We were about to visit the sacred underground site. Some areas of the tunnel are pitch black and you have to feel the walls to move along. There are over 300 Buddha statues displayed in the underground cavern. It's amazing and very moving at the same time.

玉川大師の中。これから私たちが地下霊場に行く。残念ながら写真が禁じられてる。地下への道の所々が真っ暗。なにも見えません。壁を触りながら前に進む。凄い不思議。地下霊場に３００体以上の仏像が展示されてます。結構感動するよ。

I know I said pictures aren't allowed in the underground site, but that doesn't stop people from taking them. I borrowed this from the internet. It's an unofficial picture but gives you an idea of what you will see.

地下霊場に写真は禁じられてるのに、いろんな人がやっぱり撮りますね。上記の写真はネットで借りた。地下霊場はこういう仏像がいっぱい並んでます。

The prayer board is unusual here as well. There are the regular wooden prayer boards but there are also these jizo looking charms hanging there as well.

絵馬を飾る場所も不思議。普通の絵馬がありますが、そのほかに小さな地蔵が飾られてる。

Kannon to protect you from going senile.

あ～あ、名前が切られた。ぼけを防ぐ観音様と思います。

The Mizuko Jizo (Jizo to protect children who have died).

水子地蔵です。

The Six Jizos / 六地蔵

Most likely a deity to protect animals that have died.

多分亡くなった動物の面倒を見る神様。

I think its a statue of Kobo Daishi.

弘法大師の像と思う。

He doesn't seem pleased to have his picture taken.

写真に撮られて不機嫌になったのかな？

A ram in the garden?

庭に羊？

Tamagawa Daishi Seal / 玉川大師の御朱印

This was the entrance to Ryoshinkaku Temple Annex. The sign says, "Tamagawa Daishi is next door".

ここは両親閣別院の入口。サインに書いてるあるのは”玉川大師はおとなりです。”

Tunnel art / トンネルアート

Now we are on our way to Taito Ward. We decided we were going to eat lunch at a Chinese place that my wife and I went to in Ameyoko. Our adventure continues...

さてこれから台東区へ行く。昼食も上野のアメ横で以前僕と妻が食べに行った中華料理店に行く予定。冒険が続く。。。