Hosenji

HosenjiHosenji (宝仙寺) is a Shingon Buddhist temple, said to be established in the late 11th century, which is a 5-min walk from Nakano-sakaue Station of the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line or the Toei Oedo Line.
This temple was destroyed by the air raids in WWII, and the buildings now standing on its grounds are post-war reconstruction.
This temple performs monk warrior parade on Setsubun Day (February 3).

Sanmon
Hosenji

Sanmon is the main gate. It houses a pair of the statues of Nioh, who are gardian deities often seen in Buddhist temples.

Hondo and Dai-shoin
Hosenji

Hondo is the main hall. It is dedicated to Fudomyooh, a mighty Buddhist figure who defeats evil by force and fire.
Dai-shoin is used as the temple office and a space for gatherings.

Sanju-no-to & Mieido
Hosenji

These two constructions were rebuilt in 1992 with wood.
Sanju-no-to, or the three-storied pagoda, houses the statues of Dainichi Nyorai, the ultimate being of the universe from the perspective of Shingon sect, and some other Buddhist divinities.
Mieido enshrines Shingon sect founder Kukai (774-835).

Stone garden
Hosenji

There's a stone garden in front of the temple office.

Stone mortar fountain
Hosenji

There used to operate small millers around this area. Now they are gone, and to commemorate their existence, their stone mortar were piled up and made into a fountain.

Setsubun

On Setsubun Day (February 3), many Shinto shrines and major Buddhist temples hold bean-throwing events. Here at Hosenji Temple, it is accompannied with a sohei procession and saito-goma. Sohei were monk warriors who existed until the 17th century. The saito-goma is a fire ritual. As for the details of this event at Hosenji Temple, see the article on "Setsubun-e at Hosenji Temple.

Sohei procession
Sohei-gyoretsu
Saito-goma
Saito-goma
Bean-throwing
bean-throwing
Hosenji Temple
2-33-3 Chuo, Nakano-ku, Tokyo MAP
Access: 5-min walk from Nakano-sakaue Station of the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line or the Toei Oedo Line