This is where the fisherman picked up the Buddha-like figure from the Sumida river. The temple was first built on this spot by the village chief who witnessed the Buddha shaped figure.
When you think of Asakusa you think of Kaminorimon. However, starting your journey from Komagata temple is more chic. The reason why is that Komagata was the original site of Asakusa Temple. It is where the fisherman who picked up the statue of Buddha on the Sumida river came ashore. In addition, it is the first spot where the village chief Hajino Nakamoto commissioned the temple to be built in commemoration of this event.
It is said that the village chief and ten other farmers made the temple together. Thus, Asakusa temple was working class even from the origin. A temple made by fisherman and farmers rather than royals or great monks. For that reason it was a place to pray for good harvests or a good catch at sea, activities that were at the time important in everyday people’s lives.
Incidentally, at first Kaminarimon was used as a wharf during the Edo period, a period which lasted from 1603-1868. First you would pray at Komagata Temple then you would make your way towards the Kannon temple.
Let’s turn the page of the Asakusa story.
