Oct. 1 - Tokyo, I believe, is best explored without making too many plans before setting out. Often I begin a walk without a predetermined route in mind. Tokyo has such a long history that by meandering about without any particular purpose, I often encounter an unexpected treasure such as a rustic temple, an interesting shop, or a dramatic view.

A while back I decided to explore the Negishi area just east of Uguisudani Station. Because the day was very hot, I soon sat down for a rest on a shady bench alongside an older gentleman. He introduced me to a nearby temple called Shingenji and its deity Kishibojin. This gentleman had grown up in the Negishi neighborhood. He told me that when he was small, he surreptitiously took a piece of fruit from the pomegranate tree inside the temple gate. Unfortunately he picked the fruit before it was ripe, and even years later he still remembers the bitter taste. He urged me to visit the shrine because he thought the pomegranate tree would be in bloom.

I wandered down to Shingenji curious about this Kishibojin whose name includes the characters for both "devil" and "god." A sign out front of the temple explained her story. According to Indian mythology, she had been a fierce deity who ate children. The Buddha then hid her youngest child, helping her for the first time to understand the anguish of mothers who lost their offspring. Since that time, Kishibojin became a deity who protected children. Several temples in Tokyo have Kishibojin images, and women come to them to pray for safe childbirth and for strength to raise their children.

The stone image of the Kishibojin holding a child made me feel serene. The child in her arms seemed so happy and secure. And just as the kind gentleman had predicted, the temple's pomegranate tree sported bright orange blossoms. I was delighted to encounter such a wonderful hidden treasure during that walk in Tokyo.

Until next time,

Jim