Let’s start with the name: Asakusa. It means “shallow grass” in Japanese. Back when the Kanto Plain was covered in endless fields, this spot by the Sumida River had only short grass. So, naturally, humans decided that was a good enough name. Not the most creative choice, but hey, it stuck.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The year was 628. Two brothers were fishing in the Sumida River when they pulled up something a little more divine than their usual catch: a statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Instead of keeping it as some lucky charm, they and their boss—probably a smart guy—decided to dedicate it. Their boss even turned his house into a temple. That little act? It’s why Senso-ji, the grand temple at Asakusa’s heart, exists today.
Now, there’s a twist to this story. Upstream from here, there’s a legend about a Kannon statue that went missing after a storm swept away its original shrine. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe Kannon just decided to go sightseeing downriver and liked this spot better. Who knows? She’s been here ever since.
For context: Buddhism arrived in Japan in 538, and by 607, the first temple, Horyu-ji, was built in Nara. Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest temple. This place has been around longer than Tokyo itself, back when this area was just swampy land with dreams.
“The Azuma Kagami” is a historical chronicle compiled during the Kamakura period, documenting significant events from 1180 to 1266. One notable entry from 1192 (Kenkyu 3) describes a memorial service held for Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s 49th day after his passing. The service took place at the Nan-Mido Shochoju-in Temple, attended by 100 monks from various temples across Japan. Among them, three monks from Senso-ji in Asakusa participated.
What makes this significant is that the entry in the Azuma Kagami refers to the temple and its monks as being from ‘Asakusa.’ This demonstrates that the name ‘Asakusa’ was already recognized and used by people outside the local area, as early as the late 12th century. It is a remarkable confirmation of Asakusa’s identity as a distinct place in historical records.
Of course, time hasn’t been kind. Earthquakes, fires, wars—it’s all been thrown at Senso-ji.
What you see today? It’s a reconstruction.
But here’s the thing: the spirit of this place hasn’t gone anywhere. it’s about the people who keep coming, year after year, praying, laughing, and living.
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