Japan History: Zojoji Temple
[:it]
Tempio Zojoji
Il tempio Zojoji è stato fondato nel 1393 e trasferito al luogo attuale nel 1598 dopo che Ieyasu Tokugawa, fondatore del shogunato dei Tokugawa, entrò nell’attuale Tokyo nel 1590. Dopo l’inizio del Periodo Edo, lo Zojoji diventò il tempio della famiglia Tokugawa, una delle famiglie più importanti di tutto il Giappone. La cattedrale, il tempio e il mausoleo sono stati bruciati durante i raid aerei della Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Tuttavia, la maggior parte delle strutture sono state ricostruite. Lo Zojoji continua oggi ad essere il tempio principale della città. Anche grazie alla sua posizione di favore non è solo uno dei maggiori luoghi di culto ma anche una delle attrazioni turistiche più visitate. Spettacolare la vista del tempio con la Tokyo Tower sullo sfondo.
Particolarità dello Zojoji
IL GATE: L’entrata principale è particolare per il suo colore vermiglio. Con 21 metri in altezza, 28.7 metri in larghezza e 17.6 metri di profondità, è stato costruito nel 1622. Oggi l’entrata è uno dei più importanti resti dell’architettura del Periodo Edo. Il suo nome è Sangedatsumon e significa entrata (mon) per far uscire (gedatsu) dai tre (san) stati mentali terreni: avidità, rabbia e stupidità.
LA CAMPANA: Con un diametro di 1.76 metri, un’altezza di 3.33 metri e un peso di 15 tonnellate, è conosciuta come una delle Tre Grandi Campane del Periodo Edo. Viene suonata due volte al giorno per 6 rintocchi, la mattina presto e la sera. Si chiama Daibonsho (Grande Campana). Serve per purificare dalle 108 passioni terrene (bonno), che portano le persone nella direzione sbagliata. Il suo compito, inoltre, è quello di diffondere profonda calma tramite richiami ripetuti 6 volte al giorno.
LE STATUE: Quando si cammina nel Tempio Zojoji, una delle prime cose che si notano sono queste statue rappresentanti dei bambini. Si chiamano Ojizo-san, o Ojizo-sama. Sono caratterizzate da vestiti rossi e dai cappelli all’uncinetto. Queste sculture potrebbero sembrare semplici ornamenti, ma si dice proteggano lo spirito dei bambini non ancora nati e di quelli morti prematuramente.
Photo Credit: Japan Italy Bridge
Zojoji Official website: Click here
[:en]
Zojoji Temple
The Zojoji temple was founded in 1393. Relocated to the present site in 1598 after Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, entered present-day Tokyo in 1590. After the start of the Edo Period, Zojoji became the family temple of the Tokugawa family, one of the most powerful houses in all Japan. The cathedral, temples and the mausoleum burned down during the air raids during World War II. However, most of the structures got rebuilt. Today Zojoji continues to serve as the main temple of the city. Due to its position of favour, this is not just one of the main religious spot but also one of the main landmarks for tourists. The view of the Tokyo Tower on its background is just breathtaking.
Zojoji’s Peculiarities
THE GATE
The main wooden gate is peculiar for its vermilion color. Measuring 21 meters in height, 28.7 meters in width and 17.6 meters in depth, it was built in 1622. Today the gate is one of the most important remains of the Edo Period architecture. Its name is Sangedatsumon and it means a gate (mon) for getting delivered (gedatsu) from three (san) earthly states of mind: greed, anger and stupidity.
THE BELL
With a diameter of 1.76 meters, a height of 3.33 meters and a weight of 15 tons, this bell is one of the Big Three Bells of the Edo Period. Tolled twice a day for 6 times each, in the early morning and in the evening. Its name is the Daibonsho (Big Bell). It serves to purify 108 earthly passions (bonno), which lead people astray. Furthermore, legend says ti gives profound equanimity through an exhortation, repeated six times a day.
THE STATUES
When you walk around in the Zojoji Temple, one of the first thing you might notice are these statues representing babies. They are the Ojizo-san, or Ojizo-sama. These little statues are characterized by bright red clothing and handmade crochet caps. They might just seem cute ornaments, but tradition says they protect the spirit of unborn children and little ones that passed away.
Photo Credit: Japan Italy Bridge
Zojoji Official website: Click here
[:ja]
Zojoji Temple
The Zojoji temple was founded in 1393. Relocated to the present site in 1598 after Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, entered present-day Tokyo in 1590. After the start of the Edo Period, Zojoji became the family temple of the Tokugawa family, one of the most powerful houses in all Japan. The cathedral, temples and the mausoleum burned down during the air raids during World War II. However, most of the structures got rebuilt. Today Zojoji continues to serve as the main temple of the city. Due to its position of favour, this is not just one of the main religious spot but also one of the main landmarks for tourists. The view of the Tokyo Tower on its background is just breathtaking.
Zojoji’s Peculiarities
THE GATE
The main wooden gate is peculiar for its vermilion color. Measuring 21 meters in height, 28.7 meters in width and 17.6 meters in depth, it was built in 1622. Today the gate is one of the most important remains of the Edo Period architecture. Its name is Sangedatsumon and it means a gate (mon) for getting delivered (gedatsu) from three (san) earthly states of mind: greed, anger and stupidity.
THE BELL
With a diameter of 1.76 meters, a height of 3.33 meters and a weight of 15 tons, this bell is one of the Big Three Bells of the Edo Period. Tolled twice a day for 6 times each, in the early morning and in the evening. Its name is the Daibonsho (Big Bell). It serves to purify 108 earthly passions (bonno), which lead people astray. Furthermore, legend says ti gives profound equanimity through an exhortation, repeated six times a day.
THE STATUES
When you walk around in the Zojoji Temple, one of the first thing you might notice are these statues representing babies. They are the Ojizo-san, or Ojizo-sama. These little statues are characterized by bright red clothing and handmade crochet caps. They might just seem cute ornaments, but tradition says they protect the spirit of unborn children and little ones that passed away.
Photo Credit: Japan Italy Bridge
Zojoji Official website: Click here
[:]