The octagonal building in the Shinobazunoike Pond in Ueno Onshi Park is the Shinobazunoike Benten Temple. The contrast between the green roof, red pillars, and white walls attracts people’s eyes even from a distance. Since “Benzaiten,” one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, is enshrined here, the temple has become a guardian deity of music and entertainment, and is called “Benten-do,” “Benten-sama,” or “Benzaiten” by the local people. When lotus flowers are in full bloom on Shinobazunoike Pond surrounding the temple, it looks as if celestial maidens are playing music. In this issue, we will introduce you to Shinobazunoike Bentendo Temple.
History of Shinobazunoike Bentendo Temple
Shinobazunoike Bentendo Temple was built from the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1600) to the early Edo period (1603-1868) by priest Tenkai, who founded Toeizan Kan-eiji Temple in Ueno, following the example of Enryakuji Temple on Hieizan in Shiga Prefecture.
It is said that Priest Tenkai likened the mountain of Ueno to Mount Hiei, Shinobazunoike Pond to Lake Biwa, and the small island enshrining the Holy Buddha in Shinobazunoike to Chikubujima in Lake Biwa. The Shinobazunoike Bentendo Temple was built to resemble Hogonji Temple on Chikubujima.
In the beginning, visitors to the temple used a boat as if they were visiting Hogonji Temple on Lake Biwa, but as the number of visitors increased, a bridge was built during the Edo period.
The original hall was lost in the Tokyo Air Raid of 1945, and the present hall was rebuilt in 1958 with reinforced concrete. The octagonal shape of the hall was chosen so that visitors can visit the temple from anywhere in Shinobazuno Pond.
Sights to see of Shinobazunoike Bentendo Temple
The main deity is a hidden Buddhist statue of Benzaiten (Sarasvati), which is only opened one day a year.
The main deity of Rabenten Hall is Rensaiten (Sarasaten), which is opened to the public one day a year. Rensaiten is a deity of music and the arts, and is widely worshipped as a guardian deity of the arts. Also, since the Chinese character for “sai” in the middle of the name “Rensaiten” is also written as “fortune,” it is said to bring good fortune in the form of increased money.
Rensaiten is generally thought of as holding a biwa (Japanese lute), but this Rensaiten has eight arms, each with a bow in each hand. This is the figure of a goddess from Indian mythology with eight arms, each of which carries a bow, sword, vajra, and other weapons.
These weapons are said to be tools for destroying vexations and saving people from suffering. The statue is unveiled once a year on the day of the “Great Festival of Mi-narukane” in September.
In 2022, it was Tuesday, September 13, but the opening was specially extended to Monday, September 19 to avoid congestion in Corona.
Will it return to normal in 2023? Interested parties should check the official website.
The golden color of the lucky purse and amulet koban, which are awarded only at this time of the year, are very bright and are highly expected to bring good luck in money. In the precincts of the temple, stone monuments of biwa (Japanese lute) and ema (votive picture tablet) associated with Benzaiten can be seen.
Seven Lucky Gods
You have probably seen the auspicious picture of seven gods on a treasure ship. The Seven Gods of Good Fortune are Daikokuten, Fukurokuju, Benzaiten, Bishamonten, Ebisu, Jurojin, and Hotei, each of whom is believed to bring blessings to people in their respective fields of expertise, such as longevity, prosperity, and family safety. The Shichifukujin pilgrimage is to visit shrines and temples enshrining the seven deities to pray for their blessings.
There are many Shichifukujin throughout Japan, but the Rensaiten deity at Shinobazunoike Benten Hall is one of the “Yanaka Shichifukujin” enshrined at seven temples in the Taito, Arakawa, and Kita wards of Tokyo. The Yanaka Shichifukujin are said to be the oldest seven gods of good fortune in Japan, and belief in them began to flourish in the Edo period (1603-1867), and the Shichifukujin pilgrimage has continued to the present day.
In those days, there was a custom to buy a picture of the Seven Gods of Good Luck riding on a treasure ship at New Year’s and put it under the pillow to sleep, hoping for a good first dream.
Today, the Yanaka Shichifukujin Meguri is held from New Year’s Day to January 10.
Shinobazunoike Daikokuten-do
To the right of the oratory is a hall dedicated to Daikokuten. The hall was destroyed by fire during the Tokyo Air Raid of 1945 and rebuilt in 1968. Daikokuten here is different from the seven gods of good fortune in Yanaka, and is said to have been revered by Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who escaped the ravages of war at the end of the Edo period and during the Pacific War.
Normally, the doors of the hall are closed so that visitors cannot see inside, but they are opened when goma prayers are offered. Unfortunately, you will not be able to see Daikokuten even in person at that time. Why not use the smoke from the goma prayer to receive the blessings of the highly beneficial Daikokuten?
Mound
Around the Shinobazu Pond Bentendo, there are unique memorial mounds for appreciating daily things and birds and beasts; for instance, bird mound, fish mound, puffer mound, soft-shelled turtle mound, kitchen knife mound, and glasses mound.It is like Japanese traditions that they have various kinds of mounds to be thankful for not only animals but also everything such as kitchen knives and glasses.
Illumination
In the evening, the hall is illuminated, so that it is more beautiful. It is very nice to see the hall from nearby, from the opposite side of Shinobazu Pond, and from the stairs of Ueno Park.Depending on the time of year, beautiful lanterns are displayed in front of the Chozuya and Mido, and the street vendors’ stalls are lined up along the approach.
Access to Shinobazunoike Bentendo Temple
Location
1-14-11, Ueno Sakuragi, Taito City, Tokyo
TEL
03-3379-5511
Opening and Closing Hours
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Nearest station
5 minutes walk from “Ueno Station” of JR line
Toei Subway Oedo Line “Ueno-okachimachi” station, about 5 minutes walk from A3 exit
1 minute walk from Ikenohata Exit of Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Main Line
Shinobazunoike Bentendo Temple Official Website
Please visit the official website when you visit Shinobazunoike Oratory.
Official Site：http://kaneiji.jp/