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In Japan, numerous rituals and actions might be undertaken to convey on good luck or success. These are particularly common at New Yr’s, when one’s slate has been cleaned to start once more.
One such exercise is the Seven Fortunate Gods Pilgrimage, a strolling course to go to and pay homage to Japan’s seven fortunate gods, who’re stated to sail into port on their “fortunate ship” at daybreak each New Yr’s Day. Every of the seven are housed at a special shrine or temple on a hard and fast course. There are greater than 200 such programs dotted throughout Japan. Most might be accomplished in a number of hours, an ideal outing within the gentle climate that’s prevalent at New Yr’s. Pilgrims (or walkers, in case you favor) accumulate stamps on a white cardboard sq. shikishi and even some type of tokens at every cease to commemorate their stroll. Often the stamps or tokens are solely obtainable for a hard and fast variety of days in early January.
The stamps and different souvenirs for the Seven Fortunate Gods Pilgrimage of Sakura, an Edo Interval (1603-1868) fort city in Chiba about an hour from central Tokyo and never removed from Narita, can be found not solely at New Yr’s (from January 1 by 10) but in addition on the tenth day of each month, providing a possibility to choose up a little bit additional luck at any time of the 12 months. Good to know if in case you have different plans to your New Yr’s holidays. On the pilgrimage’s open days, the shikishi and stamps can be found for buy at every cease of the pilgrimage (shikishi, 400 yen; stamps at every cease are 200 yen). There’s additionally a particular tenugui hand towel obtainable for buy (500 yen), a extra sensible memento of the expertise. Additionally a bit uncommon, this course has seven stops, however 9 stamps are collected, as there are two duplicates (on the “double” stops, 300 yen is charged for the 2 stamps).
It could be price noting that this place title, Sakura, doesn’t imply cherry blossom however is written with kanji characters that imply “hemp warehouse”. This area of Chiba was as soon as a serious hemp producer and it’s thought that even earlier than Sakura grew to become a fort city, its financial system was pushed by the hemp commerce.
The stroll begins from Keisei-Sakura Station and finishes at JR Sakura station for a complete distance simply over 4 kilometers, passing by a shocking number of suburb-scapes. A map is supplied under to assist information walkers.
Jindaiji (Bishamonten)
Jindaiji, the primary cease on this stroll, is a 7 or 8 minute stroll from Keisei-Sakura Station. To observe the map, search for a slim laneway resulting in stairs up the hill on the left, about 5 minutes from the station. (Be aware: the stroll map distributed by the vacationer data workplace close to the station doesn’t use this scenic shortcut.)
Photograph: Vicki L Beyer
The temple was based in 1615, throughout Sakura’s ascendancy as a fort city defending Edo (current day Tokyo) to its west. It has a detailed affiliation with the Hotta household, historic lords of Sakura Citadel. The temple cemetery incorporates the grave of penultimate fort lord Masatomo (1810-1864), a talented administrator and famend man of letters, notably recognized for his illustration of the shogun in early negotiations with Townsend Harris (1804-1878), the primary American Consul-Normal in Japan.
At Jindaiji, get a stamp for Bishamonten, the god of warfare (and due to this fact, bringer of peace). A stone statue of a fairly grumpy-looking god stands within the entrance backyard of the temple.
Reinanji (Benten)
Reinanji, simply down the street from Jindaiji, is one other early Edo Interval temple, based in 1642. The temple homes a lot of Buddhist artwork treasures so uncommon they’re solely exhibited to the general public annually, together with treasured photographs of Enma, the Buddhist king of hell, who determines the destiny of all who enter his area, and his acolytes.
Photograph: Vicki L Beyer
Reinanji can also be dwelling to a picture of an eight-armed Benten, the goddess of music and high-quality arts and the one feminine of the seven fortunate gods. Benten is historically depicted with solely two arms, holding a biwa lute, however in response to the knowledge at Reinanji, this eight-armed model is the unique depiction of Benten, a goddess imported from India.
Soenji (Jurojin)
Throughout the street from Reinanji stands Soenji, the third cease on this stroll. Additionally established by Hotta household retainers in 1642, it’s dwelling to a stone statue of Jurojin, the god of longevity.
Photograph: Vicki L Beyer
Amassing three stamps in fast succession has hopefully motivated walkers for the remainder of the stroll, which includes a bit extra distance between stops.
Shorinji (Bishamonten, once more)
The stroll from Soenji to the subsequent cease, Shorinji, winds right into a small valley after which climbs out once more. The climb is known as Shita-Nagaya Slope. Nagaya means row home and apparently there have been as soon as plenty of row homes on this space, which is now only a trendy residential space.
Shorinji additionally dates to the early seventeenth century, though the main points of its precise founding have been misplaced. The temple sits throughout from Sakura’s abstract courthouse and is often so quiet that it nearly feels derelict. But it surely involves life through the seven fortunate gods pilgrimage season, when pilgrims go to right here to gather a second Bishamonten stamp. As quiet as this temple is, with Bishamonten, the warrior god, as its guardian, it’s certain to persevere.
Photograph: Vicki L Beyer
Myoryuji (Daikokuten)
The stroll from Shorinji to Myoryuji, one of many oldest temples on this stroll, takes lower than 10 minutes and traverses part of the outdated Narita Kaido that was as soon as lined with conventional store homes. Solely a pair stay at the moment, identifiable by historic markers which might be, alas, solely in Japanese. The ultimate leg of the stroll passes by a verdant glen earlier than reaching the hilltop temple, based in 1471, that’s dwelling to Daikokuten, god of wealth, farmers and the kitchen. He’s often depicted standing atop two bales of rice, additionally an emblem of wealth, farmers and meals.
Photograph: Vicki L Beyer
Make sure to say good day to the monk, Ekou Murakami, and her household, who’ve just lately returned from a number of years of missionary work in Seattle. The younger Murakami kids appear to like the prospect to make use of their English and their mom is an enthusiastic and gracious soul. For those who can’t discover Banjindo, the little path away from the temple’s car parking zone that results in the subsequent vacation spot, she’s going to fortunately assist.
Makata Shrine (Ebisu and Fukurokuju)
Makata Shrine is the one shrine on this pilgrimage. As is commonly the case, shrines, websites of Japan’s indigenous Shinto faith, are older than temples. Makata Shrine is so outdated that its precise origins are unknown. It has featured in literature about this area for hundreds of years and its function has advanced with the city, even turning into the guardian shrine for Sakura Citadel when it was constructed simply down the street on the finish of the plateau.
Two of the seven fortunate gods make Makata Shrine their dwelling: Fukurokuju, whose statue is simply to the appropriate as you face the shrine, and Ebisu, across the again on the left-hand facet of the shrine constructing. The previous is the god of fortune, happiness and longevity who has the power to carry out miracles whereas the latter is the god of commerce, fishermen and success. He’s often depicted with a fishing pole in a single hand and a sea bream tucked below the opposite arm.
The tokens containing paper fortunes bought at Makata Shrine are papier mache fish. This can be a nod to Ebisu’s presence, however Konpira, Japan’s historical god of seafarers is likely one of the deities enshrined right here, so this symbolism may be in his honor.
Photograph: Vicki L Beyer
Daishoin (Hotei and Daikokuten, once more)
The seventh cease on this stroll is Daishoin, based in 1471. Right here pilgrims can accumulate two ultimate stamps, one for Hotei, the god of happiness and contentment (the emotion evoked when one finishes a pilgrimage), and the opposite a second stamp for Daikokuten. There are stone statues of each gods within the temple’s backyard, together with different stone carvings together with statues of the five hundred arhat disciples of Buddha.
Photograph: Vicki L Beyer
Concepts for the remainder of your day in Sakura
Daishoin sits on the finish of a avenue that was as soon as lined with the houses of samurai retainers related to Sakura Citadel. Three outdated samurai homes have been preserved and are open to guests, an ideal add-on to the tip of the pilgrimage. Be taught extra about these homes, a hillside path lined with bamboo, and the “samurai forest” right here. From right here it’s a ten minute stroll to JR Sakura Station to return to Tokyo.
Sakura Citadel as soon as stood on a close-by escarpment, standing guard over the japanese method to Edo. Whereas the fort is lengthy gone, a few of its ramparts stay and the grounds are actually a public park. It’s also the positioning of the Nationwide Museum of Japanese Historical past, a big, well-curated museum worthy of repeated visits. There’s often a shuttle bus working between the museum and Keisei Sakura Station.
Vicki L Beyer, a daily Japan Right this moment contributor, is a contract journey author who additionally blogs about experiencing Japan. Comply with her weblog at jigsaw-japan.com.
© Japan Right this moment
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