The picture hanged in the Kiyomizu Kannon-dou Temple which shows the vastness of the Toueizan Kaneiji Temple. (Kaneiji Temple Kiyomizu Kanon-dou Temple collection)
Q: Kiyomizu Kannon-dou Temple is designated as an important cultural property. Was the main hall vermilion-lacquer from before?
Yes, the main hall was vermilion-lacquer from before. Since it was reconstructed just the same as the original building, it was designated as an important cultural property. Inside the main hall, it is richly colored. The richness came back by removing the soot at the repair work. Even though it was built in around 1933, since the famous architect Chuta Ito built the drawing room, many people connected to architecture visit the place for study.
Q: We have also interviewed inside the Ueno Park and we have found a grave for Shogi-tai who fought against Meiji governmental forces in the Ueno War. Has the whole area around this place been burnt?
In the main hall there is a votive picture of a horse that shows the scene of the Ueno War. Since the Ueno was the place of a hard‐fought battle that was for example been shot by a cannon, most of the place was burnt. However Kiyomizu Kannon-dou Temple was somehow able to avoid to be burnt. It was once confiscated to the government and was only to be collapsed, but the main hall and the Honzon(the principal image of Buddha) was somehow safe. Even now, there are cannonballs inside the main hall with a ema(votive picture of a horse.) They are said to be launched while the Ueno War was occurring. It is now being researched.
Q: Ueno has been changed a lot. How was the Edo Praying rout like?
The stairs around the Matsuzakaya Department Store are drawn in the old drawings, and the atmosphere still remains from the Edo Era. Ueno Station opened in 1883 by borrowing the vacant lot of the Kaneiji sub temple from Tokyo in 1882. Therefore, it used to be a place where a temple used to be. Later, the railway Yamanote Line has opened and the place has been changed to the shape is now. The place used to be a gentle slope until around the Asakusa and there were many temples at the old days. Temples are used to be lined where the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Hall and the National Museum of Western Art is now. The main gate was first at the Kuromoncho, where Ueno 1-2 block are now, and then comes the wide main street. It was placed in the Ueno wide main street. This wide main street was made to avoid the buildings get fire, and the visitor had to pass through this street. The back of the Kan-eiji temple, there were graves for the shogun and the general public was not able to go near the place. When the day comes to the evening general publics were made to go outside. However, in the daytimes, anyone was allowed to pray for the Kiyomizu Kannon-dou Temple and the Benten-dou Temple. The place around here has not been changed much. Since this temple is here for around 400 years, I think that the street below hasn’t been changed much. There weren’t much trees in the old days and the Shinobazu-no-ike pond could be seen. However, since many trees were planted when the park was built this lake became a little difficult to see.(continued in the right column)
Q: Ueno Park is also famous for cherry blossoms. When did it start to be famous?
Tenkai Daisoujyou brought the cherry blossoms from the Yoshino when the Toueizan Kaneiji Temple got open, for the cherry blossoms to be in full bloom in the spring. Even in the old days, it seems like people came to Ueno to see the cherry blossoms and eat food at the place. Likewise, the place had many entertainments and was like a theme park from before. It seems like this atmosphere still continues. Therefore when the cherry blossoms come out, the name of the Ueno always appear.
Q: What kind of people come to the place to pray?
There are Kanzeon Bosatsu for being blessed with children and for child rearing as the waki-honzon(Sub principal image of Buddha.) Therefore, it is Kanzeon Bosatsu for many people who wants their baby or those who worries about rearing their children since the Edo Era. In every 17th there are temple festivals and many people pray at that day. Others, in the first “Uma no hi(horse day)” there is a biggest festival once a year. Because there is a big event in the first horse day, many believers comes to pray. Even in the usual days, many visitors come from all over the world. Kiyomizu Kannon-dou Temple has become an important place for foreigners came to visit Ueno. Others, we offer memorial service for dolls in every September 25th. People used to hold a memorial service for dolls to hope their children not to get any diseases and stay healthy. This custom remains and people still hold a memorial service for dolls that they loved. Since dolls are loved and have a feature to tell the soul of the owner, we hold this memorial service and pull out the soul. There are Hina dolls and some stuffed dolls to be done. Mostly, I hold the memorial service every day. However, when I am out, it is placed in the side of the main temple. As the compilation, we hold the biggest memorial service for dolls in September 25th.
Q: We have seen many foreign visitors, and it seems like many of the votive picture of a horse is written in foreign language isn’t it?
Usually, half the people who visit this temple are from foreign countries. There are some situations that we don’t hear Japanese language. Since praying the Kan’non is used to Chinese and Taiwanese people, many of those people come and pray in this temple. Others, many people from the US and Europe comes to this temple. Therefore, we prepare booklet pamphlets that are translated in not only English but also other languages. We also have charm written in English. It has numbers on it and we are always ready to explain the meanings of the numbers. For the ema(votive picture of a horse), there are many people who recognize the meanings, and write their dreams on it. Some people bring it back to their home since it seems rare. There are also many people reading the others dream written in their language and come up to write their own dreams.