Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

Strolling through Nishi-ward: Ganjoji Temple



A long time ago, I was living in a house on Ganjoji temple slope. I got a bit cocky so I put a doorplate which reads “Doryu-an”, but some people thought it was a Soba restaurant, so I took it away in a hurry. At that time, a writer K-sensei visited my place and I received a poem which starts from a phrase “Ganjoji, it is indeed a beautiful name on Hagi slope”. It is a good old memory.



Ganjoji temple was said to be built in Tenbun era, which is the end of Sengoku Period, but according to the temple’s biography, it was built in Nara Period. It is said that a Buddhist priest Gy?ki was on preaching tour and found a fresh spring guided with the guidance of a turtle and it was named Hokiji mountain, and it remains as Sango (honorific mountain prefix) at present. It is one of the most famous temples in Nishi-ward and also known as the place where cemeteries of famous people from the history of opening of Yokohama port are located.



A big cherry blossom tree in front of the temple’s gate looks amazing when it is in full bloom.



Writing and picture by Tai Hasewaga (Nishi ward Cultural Association/Chairman of Kiko Society)



※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition between November 1997 and April 2004. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.



(Published September in 1998)