Other Ueno Shrines and Temples

 Hanazono Inari Shrine and Gojouten-ji, side by side

Ueno Tenkai Kan’ei-ji

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

Shinobazu Pond and Shinobazu No Ike Bentendo Temple

Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo is a Buddhist temple dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten. The temple stands on an island in the middle of Shinobazu Pond located in the southern part of Ueno Park.

Benzaiten is the only female member of Japan’s seven lucky gods. Originally she was a river goddess, so her temples are usually built near water. In addition to water, Benzaiten is a goddess of all things that flow including words, wisdom, wealth, music, and dance. 

Originally the Bentendo Temple was part of the larger Kaneiji  Temple complex which once covered the entire area now occupied by Ueno Park. Kaneiji Temple was built in 1625 by the Buddhist monk Tenkai. He modeled Kaneiji Temple after Enryakuji, a major Buddhist temple located on Mount Hiei near Kyoto. Some years later Tenkai had an island constructed in the middle of Shinobazu Pond. Tenkai built the Bentendo Temple on the island and enshrined a statue of the goddess Benzaiten there.

Lotus plants, which are a Buddhist symbol of purity, were planted in the southern part of Shinobazu Pond. Originally the island could only be reached by boat, but a bridge was added on its eastern side in 1672, so that people could walk to the temple. 

The original Bentendo Temple was destroyed in a bombing raid in World War II. The Benzaiten statue survived the bombing and is now enshrined in the new Main Hall of the temple. This building is a reconstruction of the 17th century Main Hall and it was built in 1958.

Friday Finish - Box of Delights Pillow

I finished stitching this in November 2015. The free patterns are designed by Elizabeth Almond and are still available on the Blackwork Journey website (scroll through to find the individual patterns). 

I made it into a pillow, using 40x40 cm. pillow form. The backing is a beautiful piece of Tilda fabric I received as a gift and was saving for something special.

Shitamachi Museum

I’ve been to Ueno Park quite a few times, but I had never been to this small, interesting museum. The entrance fee is ¥300. 

Description from the internet:

The Shitamachi Museum was established for the purpose of passing on to future generations the culture and traditions of this unique Shitamachi area, the traditional heart of Tokyo, centered around Taito City.
Inside the museum, you will be able to actually enter a recreated Japanese lantern shop and rear tenement and touch the daily items of the time on exhibit. There are also exhibitions related to seasonal annual events.

After taking off your shoes, you are able to walk around in the 1960 home. There are little signs with a hand, telling you it is okay to touch.

It was fascinating and the details were amazing. I could imagine the people who lived in such a home.

You are free to gently handle the objects. Two older men were having a good time pulling out the contents and talking about them. Maybe they were remembering their own home in 1960!

I highly recommend visiting this snapshot of life in Tokyo in 1960.