A Complete Guide to the History and Highlights of Eitai-ji Temple (Koto Ward, Tokyo) | Visiting the Traces of the Former Head Temple of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine
Eitai-ji Temple, located in Tomioka, Koto Ward, Tokyo, is an indispensable temple when discussing the history of Fukagawa. Once a major temple representing the Fukagawa area as the head temple of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, it was once abolished due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism during the Meiji Restoration, but was later rebuilt and continues to this day. This article provides a detailed introduction to Eitai-ji Temple, from its founding to the present day, highlights within the temple grounds, and information on visiting.
Basic Information on Eitai-ji Temple
Eitai-ji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple of the Koyasan sect, located at 1-15-1 Tomioka, Koto Ward, Tokyo. Its mountain name is Daiei-zan, and its official name is “Daiei-zan Eitai-ji.”
Location and Access
Address: 1-15-1 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station:
- Approximately 3 minutes on foot from Monzen-Nakacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line
- Approximately 3 minutes on foot from Monzen-Nakacho Station on the Toei Oedo Line
- Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Etchujima Station on the JR Keiyo Line
Located on the way from Monzen-Nakacho Station towards Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, it is a popular location for those visiting Fukagawa Fudodo and Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine together.
Sect and Principal Image
Sect: Koyasan Shingon Sect
Founder: Nagamori
Established: 1624 (Kanei 1)
Shingon Buddhism is a Buddhist sect founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai and is one of the major sects of Japanese Buddhism that transmits the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism. Koyasan Shingon Buddhism has Koyasan Kongobu-ji Temple in Wakayama Prefecture as its head temple. ## The History of Eitai-ji Temple | From the Edo Period to the Present
The history of Eitai-ji Temple began in the early Edo period and has survived through turbulent times, from the Meiji Restoration to the present day.
Founding and Prosperity in the Edo Period (1624-)
Eitai-ji Temple was founded in 1624 (Kanei 1) on Eitai-jima Island by a monk named Nagamori. At that time, Fukagawa was an area undergoing land reclamation, and Eitai-jima Island was a piece of land created as part of this development.
Shortly after its founding, Eitai-ji Temple became the head temple of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine. A head temple is a temple attached to a shrine that manages the shrine and oversees its rituals from a Buddhist perspective. During the Edo period, the idea of syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism was common, and many shrines had head temples.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, as the largest Hachimangu shrine in Edo, was affectionately known as “Fukagawa’s Hachiman-sama” and attracted the faith of the common people of Edo. Eitai-ji Temple, its affiliated temple, also flourished greatly alongside Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine. During the Edo period, Eitai-ji was a large temple complex with extensive grounds, including the present-day Fukagawa Park and Fukagawa Fudōdō, and possessed numerous sub-temples (tatchū: small temples located within the grounds of a larger temple).
Connection to the Six Jizo of Edo
In the late Edo period, Eitai-ji was counted as the sixth of the “Six Jizo of Edo.” The Six Jizo of Edo were six Jizo Bodhisattva statues placed at the entrances to Edo’s highways, erected to pray for safe travels. The Jizo Bodhisattva of Eitai-ji is believed to have played a role in guarding the starting point of the Chiba Highway (present-day Eitai-dori).
Origin of the Place Name Monzen-Nakachō
The place name “Monzen-Nakachō,” still used today, actually originates from the fact that it was a temple town in front of Eitai-ji Temple. Many people mistakenly believe that Fukagawa Fudōdō is a temple town, but in reality, the name originates from its location in front of the gate of Eitai-ji Temple, a large temple during the Edo period.
This fact illustrates just how vast and influential Eitai-ji Temple once was.
Meiji Restoration and the Anti-Buddhist Movement (1868-)
In 1868 (the first year of the Meiji era), the Meiji government issued the Shinto-Buddhist Separation Order. This policy aimed to clearly distinguish between Shinto and Buddhism and to eliminate Buddhist elements from shrines. This policy led to the anti-Buddhist movement known as Haibutsu Kishaku (anti-Buddhist movement) throughout Japan.
Eitai-ji Temple was also greatly affected by the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. Eitai-ji, which had been the head temple of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, was abolished in the early Meiji period. Its vast grounds were divided, and the former site became Fukagawa Park, while Fukagawa Fudōdō (the Tokyo branch temple of Naritasan Shinshō-ji Temple) was built on part of it.
Eitai-ji Temple, once one of the most prominent temples in the Fukagawa area during the Edo period, thus disappeared from history for a time.
Reconstruction of Eitai-ji Temple (1896)
Approximately 30 years after its closure, in 1896 (Meiji 29), Eitai-ji Temple was reconstructed. Kichijoin, one of the former sub-temples of Eitai-ji, inherited the name “Eitai-ji” and rebuilt the temple at its current location.
Although smaller than its former vast grounds, the name and history of Eitai-ji have been passed down to the present day. Today, Eitai-ji Temple quietly conveys the vestiges of its Edo-period glory and is cherished by local residents and visitors.
Grounds and Highlights of Eitai-ji Temple
Today, Eitai-ji Temple stands quietly in a residential area a few minutes’ walk from Monzen-Nakacho Station. While not large in scale, it is a temple with a calm atmosphere that evokes a sense of history.
Main Hall
The main hall of Eitai-ji Temple possesses a solemn atmosphere befitting a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect. Inside, Buddhist statues, including Dainichi Nyorai, the principal deity of Shingon Buddhism, are enshrined, allowing for quiet prayer.
Atmosphere of the Temple Grounds
Despite being located in a residential area, the temple grounds are enveloped in tranquility. While the scale of the grounds doesn’t immediately suggest its past as a large Edo-period temple, a sense of historical weight permeates the air.
There aren’t many visitors, but this creates a peaceful environment for worship, making it an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find peace of mind.
About Goshuin (Temple Seals)
Goshuin (temple seals) are available at Eitai-ji Temple. Those wishing to receive a goshuin should speak to staff at the main hall. However, staff may be absent, so it is recommended to contact the temple in advance if you wish to guarantee receiving one.
The goshuin will bear the temple name “Eitai-ji” and a seal indicating that it is a Koyasan Shingon sect temple. This photo will be a valuable addition for anyone visiting temples and shrines in the Fukagawa area.
Nearby Attractions and Spots to Visit
Around Eitaiji Temple, there are numerous temples, shrines, and tourist spots where you can experience the history of Fukagawa.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine
Located just a one-minute walk from Eitaiji Temple, Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine was deeply connected to Eitaiji Temple during the Edo period, serving as its head temple. Affectionately known as “Fukagawa’s Hachiman-sama,” it also has strong ties to sumo wrestling, with a monument to a Yokozuna (grand champion) sumo wrestler located within its grounds.
Fukagawa Fudodo Temple
Built on part of the former Eitaiji Temple site, Fukagawa Fudodo Temple (Naritasan Tokyo Branch Temple) attracts many worshippers as the Tokyo base of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. On the 28th of each month, the temple’s festival day, many stalls line the streets, creating a lively atmosphere.
Fukagawa Park
Most of the former Eitaiji Temple site is now Fukagawa Park. Currently, it’s a popular local gathering place, and it’s interesting to stroll around while imagining the vast temple that once stood here.
Fukagawa Edo Museum
This museum recreates the townscape of Fukagawa during the Edo period. It’s a recommended spot for history buffs, as it allows you to experience life in Fukagawa during the Edo period when Eitaiji Temple flourished.
Points to Note and Manners When Visiting Eitaiji Temple
Please note the following points when visiting Eitaiji Temple.
Visiting Hours
While there are no strict restrictions on visiting hours at Eitaiji Temple, it is recommended to visit during reasonable hours (from morning to evening). As it is a temple located in a residential area, early morning and late-night visits should be avoided out of consideration for the neighbors.
Photography
Photography is generally permitted on the temple grounds, but please obtain permission beforehand for photographing the interior of the main hall or Buddha statues. Also, please be considerate of other visitors.
Respectful Worship
Eitai-ji Temple is not a tourist temple, but also a place of worship for the local community. Please be mindful of quiet worship and refrain from speaking loudly or making noise.
Temple Culture in Koto Ward, Tokyo, and the Role of Eitai-ji Temple
There are approximately 2,887 temples in Tokyo, of which 75 are located in Koto Ward. Koto Ward has many areas that developed as temple towns since the Edo period, and the Fukagawa area, in particular, has a high concentration of temples.
Eitai-ji Temple holds a historically significant position among them. Although it has lost its former grandeur, its history of surviving the prosperity of Fukagawa in the Edo period and the turbulent Meiji Restoration makes it a valuable presence in the history of Buddhism in Tokyo.
As a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect, Eitai-ji Temple continues to quietly fulfill its role as a spiritual haven for the local people, while also preserving the traditions of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism.
Historical Connections Between Eitai-ji Temple and Fukagawa
The name Fukagawa is said to originate from Fukagawa Hachiroemon, who spearheaded development in the early Edo period. Eitai-ji Temple was founded in 1624, precisely when Fukagawa’s development was in full swing.
Eitai-ji Temple and Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine grew alongside the development of Fukagawa, becoming centers of faith for the common people of Edo. In particular, Eitai-ji Temple was an important place of worship for those visiting Fukagawa across the Eitai Bridge, and the temple town thrived.
The fact that the place name “Monzen-Nakacho” originates from the area in front of Eitai-ji Temple demonstrates the significant role this temple played in Fukagawa’s history. While present-day Monzen-Nakacho is strongly associated with the temple town of Fukagawa Fudō-dō, the origin of its name lies in the existence of Eitai-ji Temple.
Separation of Shinto and Buddhism and Eitai-ji Temple | The Lasting Impact of the Meiji Restoration
The Meiji Restoration’s policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism had a significant impact on temples like Eitai-ji. The syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, commonplace during the Edo period, was rejected, leading to the closure of many temples.
The closure of Eitai-ji was not merely the loss of one temple; it was a major event that drastically altered the religious and cultural landscape of Fukagawa. The loss of its vast temple grounds and the scattering of numerous Buddhist statues and temple treasures represented a great loss to the region’s history.
However, the fact that the sub-temple Kichijoin inherited the name of Eitai-ji and was rebuilt demonstrates the strong faith and affection the local people have for the name. Even though it is smaller in scale, the will to preserve the history and traditions of Eitai-ji lives on in the present-day Eitai-ji.
The Role of Eitai-ji in Modern Times
While modern Eitai-ji is not the large temple it once was, it plays an important role as a place of worship for the region and as a record of Fukagawa’s history.
As a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect, Eitai-ji Temple transmits Buddhist teachings, performs memorial services and rites, and is also an important historical site for those interested in the history of Eitai-ji Temple and those studying the history of Fukagawa.
Despite being located in the bustling Monzen-Nakacho area, Eitai-ji Temple maintains a tranquil atmosphere, making it a valuable place for modern people to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find peace of mind.
Summary | The Significance of Visiting Eitai-ji Temple
Eitai-ji Temple is a representative temple of Fukagawa, with a history that spans from the prosperity of the Edo period to the turmoil of the Meiji Restoration and its subsequent reconstruction. Although small in scale today, its historical value and cultural significance are immense.
When visiting Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine or Fukagawa Fudodo Temple, be sure to also visit Eitai-ji Temple. As you pray in its quiet grounds, you will feel the history of Fukagawa that has continued since the Edo period and the faith of many people.
Eitai-ji Temple, located in the heart of Tokyo’s Koto Ward, offers a sense of historical weight and tranquility. When you visit Monzen-Nakacho, why not take some time to experience the grand story hidden within this small temple?
