【Strolling through Nishi-ward 50】Koshin Tower at Shibo Oiwake (Forked Road) 【Strolling through Nishi-ward 50】Koshin Tower at Shibo Oiwake (Forked Road)
Spot information
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| Web site | https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/nishi/shokai/kanko/spot/sozoroaruki/ |
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Description
Strolling through Nishi-ward: Koshin Tower at Shibo Oiwake (Forked Road)
Walking old Tokai-do Road from Sengenshita to Hodogaya and you will find a three forked-road in front of Matsubara shopping street. It used to be called “Shibo Oiwake” and to be a point of origin of Hachioji-kaido in the past. When you turn right on the forked-road, you will find this Koshinto (Koshin tower) on the right shoulder of the road. The deity are usually Shoumenkongo and three monkeys of see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. However, the stone was worn away and covered with moss, so it was difficult to read the year of foundation.
Koshin worship originates Chinese Daoism and it came down to Japan during Heian Period and peaked out during Edo Period. On the night called Kaenosaru (which happens each 60 days), while the person sleeps, the Sanshi (insect) leave the body and go to Ten-Tei, the Heavenly god, to report about the deeds of that person. So people try to stay awake and pray during Kaenosaru.
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 December in 2001)