Sojiji Temple was the very first Buddhist temple I visited in Japan. My host brother took me there by bicycle, and at the time I was struck by the calm and serenity in the middle of busy industrial Yokohama.
June 14 - When I first came to Japan, one of my favorite places to visit in my hometown of Tsurumi Ward in Yokohama was the Sojiji Temple.
Although the temple is at the top of a steep hill, I enjoyed visiting it on my bicycle to experience the calm atmosphere. The golden statue of the Buddha in the main hall, the elegant brocade and the smell of incense all seemed wonderfully exotic to a boy from California. I also especially appreciated the flowers and tall green trees.
I recently revisited Sojiji, which remains as beautiful as in my memories. Here are some photos I took during my visit.
This is the butsu-den or main hall. It looks old but was actually built about 100 years ago when the original Sojiji, on the Noto peninsula, was destroyed by fire. At that point, the chief priest decided to rebuild closer to the capital in Tokyo.
The butsu-den main hall contains an image of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha.
Like many temples in Japan, buildings at Sojiji are connected by long covered corridors.
The entrance to the temple provides a nice transition from the busy city below to the quiet temple grounds on top of the hill.
Until next time,
Jim
It is a surprise for me that a boy born and raised in CA had a sense to appreciate the beauty of Japanese temple and garden as such. There are not many who can appreciate them even among Japanese boys.
We, Japanese, are usually getting able to understand their beauty as our minds become mature with ages. I guess you were born and raised by intellectual parents who love nature and serene environments as well as culture.
I am pleased to know that such a person as you is now working as a bridge between Japan and the U.S.
