This temple was very close to the Asakusa Market so of course we had to visit.

Legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple.

This is the Main Hall.

Another view. It was crowded there too.

I thought this was an interesting juxtaposition. Something so old contrasted with new buildings.

The altar had plenty of gold.

This a sculpture of buckets.

The ceilings were so beautiful.

I accidentally photographed the couple in front. They look so nice in their traditional costumes. The smoke is from several sticks of incense that was constantly burning. It is believed by some that touching the smoke with injured parts of the body may have a healing effect.

This is the Dragon God statue. People can purify themselves by picking up a ladle called chozuya with the right hand and pouring some of the water over the left hand. Repeat the process with the opposite hands. You can also cleanse your mouth by pouring a bit of water into your left hand and bringing it to the face. But don’t swallow the water, simply spit it on the ground.

I really like the rich reds.

Such beautiful decoration.

There was also a five-story pagoda on the premises. The Five-Storied Pagoda was first built in 942 by military commander Taira no Kinmasa. It was burned to the ground during the Great Tokyo Air Raid on March10,1945. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1973 with donations from devout believers.

Great weekend, everyone!

{carole}