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Watch up close! Toward the world of the deep Kannon statue at Nagahama Kannon-do in Tokyo
Hello. It's Hanes.
In Chuo-ku, there are a number of spots where you can get information and specialties from all over Japan, including antenna shops.
Do you know Tokyo Nagahama Kannon-do where you can worship different Kannon-sama for each exhibition?
Although it is named "Kannondo", it is a facility where information about Nagahama City can be obtained, and it is located on the 4th floor of Yaesu Central Building, which is close to Tokyo Station and Nihombashi Station.
It has been six years since I moved to Chuo-ku, but the fact that I can meet spots that I have never visited is also the charm of Chuo-ku, which is endless inquisitive.
I'll take the elevator right away and go to the fourth floor of the building.
Then, in one corner, I found a mobile sign indicating the location of "Tokyo Nagahama Kannon-do"!
There is an atmosphere like a hideaway known to those who know it, and you step into Kannondo while pounding.
According to the Nagahama Kannon-do Greeting on the wall near the entrance, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, known as Kannon-no-sato, has flourished in Buddhist culture since the Heian period, and there are still more than 100 Kannon statues in the city. It seems to be dotted.
However, we face the challenge of aging of those who are committed to preserving and passing on Kannon culture.
Therefore, with the goal of communicating the appeal of Kannon culture and expanding the circle of supporters and collaborators, Tokyo Nagahama Kannon-do was opened here in July 2021 two years ago.
The historical Kannon-sama, which is usually not seen unless you visit the site, is released in Tokyo four times a year about one month.
In mid-June 2023, when I visited for the first time, a statue of Bato Kannon (Designated Cultural Property, Nagahama City) at Yokoyama Shrine in Yokoyama, Takatsukicho, Nagahama City was exhibited.
It is a wooden statue presumed to have been made at the end of the Heian period (around the 12th century), with a height of 99.6 cm.
Yokoyama Shrine is a shrine with a long history that is said to have continued since the Empress Suiko era.
Currently, this Kannon-sama is deposited at the Takatsuki Kannon Village History and Folklore Museum, and returns to the shrine only on the day of the Kannon-sama Village Hometown Festival every year and is open to the public by local people.
There are many Kannon-sama enshrined in Chuo-ku, but they are usually in the back of the slightly dim main hall, and cannot be worshiped up close.
However, here at Nagahama Kannon-do in Tokyo, you can fully appreciate the elaborately carved Kannon-sama, even through a glass case!
In addition, you can see the back of Kannon-sama!
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that there are few such opportunities.
I was surprised by the high technical skills at that time that I had already shaped such a stunning curve about 900 years ago using a cypress wood.
There are many temples dedicated to Senju Kannon in various parts of Japan, but in my case, if there are many, I tend to see it quickly and pass by.
However, only one Kannon-sama who will appear at this Kannondo will be narrowed down for each exhibition period, so you can slowly immerse yourself in the depth of the Kannon statue.
However, I do not have a deep knowledge of Kannon statues.
While I don't know where to appreciate and how, what you have in your hand, what the meaning and wishes are put in each, what kind of features the sculpture, etc. What you are worried about is coming one after another.
The information board and commentary sheet that explains what it is, with furigana in technical terms so that anyone can understand it.
There are plenty of information about Kannon, from basic to academic.
In the first place, even if you often hear the word Bato Kannon, you may not have a vague image of its characteristics.
Bato Kannon is a peculiar Kannon Bosatsu, with a horse's head overhead, with three faces and eight arms, showing the phase of anger.
At Hon Kannondo, I was able to know how Kannon who came to Tokyo in June came to be enshrined at Yokoyama Shrine.
This time, I only thought about the distant place of Nagahama, but when I visited Shiga Prefecture, it was also fun to go to see Kannon-sama who was able to know this way.
In addition, booklets full of sightseeing information of Nagahama City and flyers for events that are attracting attention this year are also distributed.
This year marks the 450th anniversary of the year when Hideyoshi Hashiba took over Kitaoumi, ruled by Nagamasa Asai, and the town of Nagahama developed as a castle town.
Therefore, it seems that Nagahama 450 Year Sengoku Festival is being held in Nagahama until December.
In addition, in this Kannondo, videos introducing historical sites in the city such as the ruins of Kotani Castle and Kannon statues are screened, and there are also Kannon-sama and Nagahama-related books that can be freely picked up and enjoyed.
Even though it is in a small room, there is an infinite way to enjoy it.
This time, I visited during the lunch break, but I was able to immerse myself in Nagahama's proud history and the world of Kannon statue in a quiet space, so I forgot to be in Tokyo for a while.
It is a 5-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station Yaesu North Exit and a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Nihombashi Station B7 Exit, so it is recommended for those who are looking for a place to visit easily around Tokyo Station or Nihombashi Station!
In addition, I think that the Kannon statue is intended for those who are interested in visiting shrines and temples, but in fact, there are times when coloring Buddha statues are prepared so that even children can enjoy it.
Even adults want to paint this.
In addition, there is a souvenir for visitors, and you can get the Kannon card and commentary sheet that are coming out.
In recent years, "manhole cards" and "dam cards" have become popular, but how about a thank-you "Kannon-sama card"?
I myself want to visit this Kannondo every time a different Kannon-sama comes out and collect cards.
I've talked about the charm of Tokyo Nagahama Kannon-do so far, but the following are the three recommended points from the correspondent's point of view.
1． You can enjoy the historic Kannon statue up close to your heart's content
2． While staying in Tokyo, you can experience the recent culture that Nagahama is proud of.
3． With good access from hub station in Chuo-ku, you can easily visit.
The second session of 2023 is from August 1st to 31st, and there is the "Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva Standing Statue" of Kuniyasu and Kuniyasu Residents' Association in Yogo-cho, Nagahama City.
By the way, the exhibition period is November in autumn and February in winter.
When you come near you, be sure to go to see Kannon in Nagahama.♪
※In writing this article, the staff of Nagahama City and Nagahama Kannon-do in Tokyo cooperated. Thank you very much.
Introduction Spot Information
Kannondo, Nagahama, Tokyo
Location 4th floor of Yaesu Central Building, 2-3-21 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 080-1620-2090
Access 5-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station Yaesu North Exit / 5-minute walk from Exit B7 of Tokyo Metro Nihombashi Station
Official Website: https://kannonnagahama.wixsite.com/website-1