The Hōzōmon, also known as the "Treasure-House Gate," is the second of two large entrance gates leading to the Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. This impressive two-story gate, known as a nijūmon, houses many of the temple's treasures on its second floor. Among these treasures are a copy of the Lotus Sutra, designated as a Japanese National Treasure, and the Issai-kyō, a complete collection of Buddhist scriptures recognized as an Important Cultural Property.
The first floor of the gate features two statues of Niō, the guardians of Buddha, three large lanterns, and two massive straw sandals called waraji. The Niō statues, standing 5.45 meters tall, are positioned on either side of the gate's south face. Due to these statues, the gate was originally named Niōmon before being renamed Hōzōmon.
The gate also includes three large lanterns. The most prominent is a red chōchin lantern hanging in the center of the gate's opening. Measuring 3.75 meters in height, 2.7 meters in diameter, and weighing 400 kg, the lantern displays the name of the town Kobunachō. The current version of the lantern dates back to 2003, when ¥5 million was donated by the residents of Kobunachō to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Edo period. On either side of the chōchin hang two copper Tōrō lanterns, each 2.75 meters tall and weighing approximately 1000 kg.
On the north (back) face of the Hōzōmon are the waraji, two straw sandals measuring 4.5 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and weighing 400 kg each.
The history of Hōzōmon dates back to 942 AD, when it was first built by Taira no Kinmasa. It was destroyed by fire in 1631 and rebuilt by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1636. The gate stood for another 300 years until it was destroyed again during the Tokyo air raids of 1945. In 1964, the current steel-reinforced concrete structure was built with a donation of ¥150 million from Yonetarō Motoya. Since the gate was reconstructed using flame-resistant materials, the upper story of the Hōzōmon stores the Sensō-ji's sacred sutras.
The Hōzōmon gate is not only a significant architectural structure but also a symbol of resilience and cultural heritage. It stands 22.7 meters tall, 21 meters wide, and 8 meters deep, making it an imposing and impressive sight. The gate serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Sensō-ji temple and its importance in Japanese history and culture.
Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
