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At Fukagawa 2-chome and near the Kiyosumi Gardens, there is a renowned temple called the Hojo-In Temple. Built in the year of 1629, this temple was originally known as the Kentai-san Hojo-in. However, it is currently known as the Fukagawa Enma-do, which is translated to “The Hall of the King of Hells” in English. Outside,...

Map of Tomioka Hachiman Shrine. Credit to:http://www.tokyustay.co.jp/e/hotel/MON/access/ Fukagawa is located on the east bank of the Sumida river. This geographical characteristic helped Fukagawa to improve its trading industry. There are two main east-west canals, the Onagigawa and the Konakigawa. These canals run from the Sumida river in downtown Edo to the Ara river. Thus these canals...

Throughout Japan, there are multiple places where you can participate in the shichifukjin meguri, a short pilgrimage from one shrine/temple to another, at any time of the year. This custom started in the early Edo Period. In Japanese mythology, there are seven gods who bring good luck. In Fukagawa, there are 3 shrines and 4...

Fukagawa Hachimangu is famous for being the origin of a longlasting sumo wrestling tradition. Sumo wrestling had already begun during the Edo period in areas such as Kyo (Kyoto) and Osaka, but had been banned for corrupting public morals. In 1684, though, the bakufu government permitted sumo competitions to be held in spring and autumn for fundraising temples and shrines....

On December 8, 2017, within the shrine grounds of Fukagawa Hachimangu, four men and women were murdered or injured within shrine grounds, including chief priest Nagako Tomioka. One of the murderer was Nagako’s younger brother named Shigenaga Tomioka, who committed suicide after killing his partner-in-crime. Numerous survival knives and Japanese katanas were found in the crime scene. Many...

Within Eto-ku (Current Fukagawa region), Fukagawa tekomai are determined as an Important Intangible Folk Culture Asset of the district. Tekomai are women that walk alongside or in front of the mikoshi during Fukagawa Hachiman Festival once every three years. As in the video above, they can also perform traditional Japanese music on-stage. Tekomai are said to have existed...