Your hard earned money is one of those things that flows, usually away from you faster than towards you, and it is said that if you visit Zeniari Bentzaiten and wash your money there the flow will be reversed for the faithful and that it will come back to them many times over when spent.

Based on the tale of Minamoto Yoritomo who, in 1185 had a vision and received the following message “I am the god of Ugajin {woo-gah-gin}.  In a valley to the northwest, there is a miraculous spring that gushes out of  the rocks.  Go there and worship to the Gods of Shinto and peace will come to the people”.  Moniamoto followed the directions of the Gods and founded the Zeniarai Bentzaiten Ugafuku Jinji.

The shrine is small but located in a lovely glade that is accessed through a short tunnel borrowed into the hills of Kamakura whose entrance is marked by a large stone tablet and tori.  Stepping out of the dim tunnel you are surrounded by rocky slopes of emerald green trees and the peaceful sound of flowing water.

Take a wander about and explore the small altars inset into the hillside, the lovely ponds and the small waterfall that is said to flow with one of the five best spring waters in Kamakura.

Next, make a donation of Y100 to receive a bamboo basket, two small candles and a packet of incense .  Pause to light your candles and place them on the wrought iron stand to the left of the shrine entrance then light your incense bundle and place it in to koro before entering the cave where the main shrine is housed.

As you enter, the coolness of the cave envelops you and you can’t help but pause to take in the scene before you.  Origami cranes cranes and golden gourds hang from the ceiling and row upon row of tiny wooden tori rest upon a rocky ledge that is lit by a large paper lantern and natural rays coming though the rocks.

The gurgling and bubbling sound of the water will draw you towards the beautiful wooden altar where you will empty your wallet with hopes of future riches. Place your Yen into the bamboo basket, coins and all, scoop up some of the pure spring water and pour it over your money, and pray…

A couple we met at the shrine were pondering the idea of washing their credit cards, but alas, this is yet another place in Japan where credit cards are not accepted!

Not ones to tempt fate, my companions and I washed our money and prayed that it would be come back to us as we handed over the damp bills to the various shopkeepers along the Kamakura shopping street later in the day.

We haven’t yet reaped the benefits of newfound riches, but we had some clean money, if only for a short time, and hold on to a lingering hope that good things really do come to those who wait – after all there isn’t a time limit imposed on prayers…

Zeniarai Bentzaiten Ugafuku Jinja is located about 25 minutes on foot from Kamakura station (approximately one hour from Tokyo station by train) or take some time to explore Kamakura on a rental bike like we did.  Pick up a map of Kamakura at the tourist information office in the station before heading out on foot or on two wheels to make the most of your time in the area.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

The path to the shrine itself is usually a peaceful portal even if it is the midst of a bustling city.  As you reach the end of the path you likely will pass by a purification fountain where worshippers stop to cleanse themselves before heading the the main hall of the shrine to pray.  (To learn more about the etiquette of visiting a shrine in Japan take a moment to read Purity & Prayer at Japanese Shrines.)

In addition to what one might refer to as a traditional prayer, worshipers often write their prayers on tiny white strips of paper and leave them tied to a sacred tree or to a special structure.  The white paper strips present an accumulation of the wishes of many and is a sight I often stop to ponder for a moment.

Worshipers may also purchase ema (wooden prayer plaques) and write their message on the back before leaving it behind.

The scene pictured on the left is not quite typical and one of those vignettes.  In addition to the colorful ema of Kameido Tenjin, there are also groupings of 1,000 paper cranes hanging in a silent wish that is traditionally made for peace.

I can spend hours wandering about the nooks and crannies of almost any shrine precincts and am rarely disappointed in the view.

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

The small wooden Daruma pictured above were found on the grounds of the Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture.  Look closely and you will notice that each one is hand painted and carries a unique facial expression.

Daruma come in many forms, but the most common ones are bright red in color, made of paper mache and sold with the pupils left blank.  When you get one you should make a wish and draw in one of the pupils (usually the right) and when your wish comes true it is time to draw in the other pupil.  Daruma come in other colors as well with red symbolizing good luck, white representing purification and new birth and blue representing the vitality of the spirit.

The fact the that these Daruma have both eyes painted is symbolic of the persistence and dedication required by those who achieved their wishes and left their dolls at the temple in thanks.

Matsushima is considered one of the three most scenic spots in Japan and is located in the Tohoku region of Japan.  The Zuiganji Temple was built in 1609 and is one of Japan’s national treasures.

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

One such statue is Jizo, the Buddhist divinity known as patron saint of expectant mothers, children, firemen, travelers and pilgrims.  In Japan Jizo is also considered the guardian of unborn, aborted, miscarried, and stillborn babies. 

A common sight at temples around Japan, somber and pensive statues of Jizo are often adorned with a bright red bib and hat that fades to orange over time and exposure to the elements.    On many occasions I have witnessed people pausing for a moment of prayer in front of Jizo and leaving a few Yen at his feet or placed upon his body – I often wonder if they have lost a child and silently say a little prayer of my own wishing them peace.

Matsushima is considered on of the three most scenic spots in Japan and is located in the Tohoku region of Japan.  Visit Miyagi Tourist online search to find our how to visit Oshima Island.

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

Today, statues and images of Kobo Daishi abound in Japan and many believe that he has been in a state of perpetual meditation since his death in 835 and that he continues to provide relief to those who seek salvation.

“Kobo Daishi is known as the father of Japanese culture. He is renowned for his talents as a teacher, engineer, inventor, poet, calligrapher and for creating the first public school in Japan.”
Source: Kobo Daishi & Koyasan

The site of Kobo Daishi’s seminary and school, Koyasan, is part of the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” (more commonly known as the Shikoku Eighty-eight Temples Pilgrimage), one of Japan’s fourteen UNESCO as a World Heritage sites.

The statue of Kobo Daishi pictured above is typical and was found on the grounds of a temple near Nippori in Tokyo.  It represents how he would have looked as he made the Shikoku pilgrimage: a robed monk with his sleeping mat tied to his back, wearing a straw hat and carrying a walking stick and a small bowl to collect offerings along the route.

Image Credit: Personal Collection

A trip to the Kameido Wisteria Festival found all of the usual attractions of a matsuri (festival) in Japan; abundant food stalls, good weather and  plenty of people but Mother Nature had other ideas when it came to cooperating with the wisteria blooms.  Only a few of the wisteria vines were blooming and I would guess that they will be at their peak near the end of the festival on May 6th.

My husband and I spent a lovely hour or so wandering around paths within the precincts of Kameido Tenjin without too much distraction but were a bit surprised to find a bronze bull with a donation box in front and many people pausing to toss in a coin and rub the bull like the older gentleman pictured on the left.

The patina of the aged bronze gave the statue a rustic and aged aura but it was apparent from the shiny areas that rubbing his head, and other body parts, especially his joints, was a common occurrence.

Worshipers of Tenjin, a branch of Shintoism, believe that rubbing the bull will provide relief from ailments such as rheumatism which ties into the mythical symbolism of strength, tenacity, virility, and power that has been associated with the bull since ancient times.

There are approximately 80,000 Shinto shrines in Japan, 11,000 of which are Tenjin or Tenmangu.  Main Tenjin temples in Japan include:

• Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka
• Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto
• Egara Tenjin in Kamakura

Kameido Tenjin in Tokyo is a small Tenjin temple but worthy of a visit when the wisteria blooms or to see one of few remaining drum bridges in Tokyo.

On a beautiful sunny day this past weekend I made the trip to Takao Quasi-National Park.  After taking the cable car up Mt. Takao I took the 30 minute walk up stairs, down valleys, and up even more steps through the sacred forest that weaves its way up the mountain, stopping to admire the various temples and shrines along the route.

At the very top lies Takaosan Yakuoin Yukiji Temple where I snapped this statue of Tengu glistening in the sunlight with the ornate red temple in the background.   You can almost imagine this mythical creature flying off to create mischief although legend has it that Tengu can move from place to place without using their wings in an instant!

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

The lovely island temple in the heart of Tokyo is dedicated to the only goddess among the Seven Gods of Good Fortune:  Bentendo.  The name Benzai means flowing water and she is the deity of grace or charm who is also know as Benten, the Goddess of knowledge, art and beauty and music – everything that can be said to flow.

Ueno Park is a pleasant place to spend and afternoon in Tokyo, stroll through the park and visit the temples, shrine and museums that are located in and around the park.  Read about my afternoon spent floating around on Shinbazu Pond to access a map of the area.

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

After exiting Nippori Station (west exit), a stone stairway leads you up the the cemetery and from there it is a short walk to Tenno-ji Temple and the “Ten-noji Daibatsu” or “Great Buddha of Tennoji” as he is known to local residents.  This imposing statue with lovely patination was created in 1690, has been moved twice in it’s long history, and is a tangible cultural asset of Taito City.

Use this Map of Yanaka (PDF) to locate Tenno-ji Temple and take some time to stroll through this peaceful part of Tokyo.  The Nippori/Yanaka area has the highest concentration of temples and shrines in Tokyo and it’s an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon.

This and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.

In his own words:

“I had already been shooting at Meiji Jingu Shrine in Yoyogi for about two hours and I was getting many of the same kinds of shots.  So for this shot I was really trying to find a shot different from all the others I had taken earlier that day.  There was also the matter of being able to get in position for any kind of shot because there were many other photographers there jockeying for position, even bumping into you!  I was able to get in front of most of the photographers, and get low (one one knee) and frame the shot as seen.  I thought the kimonos and especially the bags the girls were holding with them were eye catching, and that anonymity would make them stand out more. “

Dressing in a Kimono is a complicated affair and these young women pull it off well.

Jason’s previous addition The Nihon Sun Photo Gallery was a beautiful shot of  Mt. Fuji and you can see more great images from Seiji no Hi by Jason Collin on his website .

These and other great images of Japan can be found in The Nihon Sun Japan Photo Gallery.