🪷 Praying at Enmei Jizo Shrine — Exploring Spots Around Nihonbashi and Iidabashi

🪷 Praying at Enmei Jizo Shrine — Exploring Spots Around Nihonbashi and Iidabashi

Higiri Enmei Jizo Shrine (Nihonbashi)

A small shrine tucked away in a corner of the Yaesu building district, just steps from Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Nihonbashi Station. The modest emblem inscribed with "Higiri Enmei Jizo" feels like a guardian deity protecting the city's tranquility. The principal image, said to have been carved by the Buddhist priest Gyoki Bosatsu, is beloved by local residents despite its small scale.

Iidabashi Enmei Jizo Shrine (Iidabashi)

Near JR Iidabashi Station, this Jizo hall is located on the site of the former Iidabashi moat. It is a stone shrine dedicated to victims of water accidents and workers who died in flood control projects, evoking quiet prayers in visitors' hearts. The Jizo statues adorned with bibs and the stone arrangements reminiscent of flowing water are striking.

🔍 Both spots are within walking distance. You can enjoy the contrast between the calm scenery of Nihonbashi and the historic riverside atmosphere of Iidabashi.
🎨 Visiting the "Ochio Picture Panel" Dedicated to Enmei Jizo in Nihonbashi

📍 Nihonbashi Nishikawagishi Jizo Hall (1-2-5 Yaesu, Chuo-ku)

Nestled quietly among office buildings, the Nihonbashi Nishikawagishi Jizo Church (Higiri Enmei Jizo Shrine) houses a valuable cultural artifact: the "Painted Wooden Panel of Ochio," dedicated in 1938 (Showa 13) by Shinpa actor Shotaro Hanayagi .

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🖼 Highlights and Historical Significance of the Panel
• Size: A colored painting on a paulownia wood board measuring 72.5 cm tall by 47.2 cm wide.
• Content: The center depicts a young apprentice geisha (han-tama) named "Ochio" standing, with the inscription "Dedicated" in ink at the upper right and part of a folding fan at the lower left.
• Poems inscribed:
• Shotaro’s own poem: "Peach blossoms split, tied together in Kasuga."
• Kyoka Izumi’s poem: "The first butterfly flutters, worshipping the hall."
• Additionally, a red seal from Japanese painter Yukitai Komura is visible, symbolizing the intersection of Japanese performing arts history and local culture .

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🧭 Background and Anecdotes
• Shotaro Hanayagi prayed at this Jizo hall and was chosen for the role of apprentice geisha "Ochio," which became his breakthrough performance.
• Later as a performer, he commissioned the painting from Yukitai Komura and dedicated it to this Jizo hall, which has close ties to Kyoka Izumi, expressing his gratitude .
• The panel serves as both a historical document of the theater world and a symbol of faith and prayer for visitors to Nihonbashi Nishikawagishi Jizo Church.

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👣 Tips for Visiting and Tourist Information

📍 Access and Worship Information
• 1–2 minutes on foot from Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Nihonbashi Station Exit A1; JR Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit is also nearby.
• Currently, access may be temporarily restricted due to redevelopment. Please check the latest opening status via official sources or on-site information.
A small shrine amid the city's hustle and bustle. The story conveyed by the single dedicated panel encapsulates a microcosm of Japanese cultural history—from Edo to Showa eras, blending performing arts and faith, community and individual. A moment to pause during a quiet Tokyo stroll.

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