Virtual Edo Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #12 Shinobazu Pond Benten-do Temple

 

     Benten-do Temple was founded by Priest Tenkai (1536-1643) around the 1630's.

     He planned the development of the Ueno area in the idea of the comparison with Kyoto.  First, he compared Kan’ei-ji Temple to Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei.  Next, he compared the Shinobazu Pond to Lake Biwa and the isle in the pond to Chikubu-jima Island in the lake.  He asked Mizunoya Katsutaka (1597-1664), the lord of the Shimodate Domain in Hitachi Province, to enlarge the isle to build Benten-do Temple, which was compared to the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Hogon-ji Temple in Chikubu-jima Island.  Hogon-ji Temple enshrined Sarasvati.

     In 6672, a bridge was built across the Shinobazu Pond for the convenience of the worshipers.

     In 1945, the temple burned down in the air raid, and was rebuilt in 1958.  In 1966, Kodama Kibo (1898-1971) painted a dragon for its ceiling.

     Shinobazu Pond Benten-do Temple is also the #30 member temple of the Ueno Oji Komagome 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

Address: 2-1 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007

Phone: 03-3821-4638