Nakayama is in between Narita And Haneda International Airport

Katsushika Hachimangu shrine 　下総国総鎮守葛飾八幡宮

Genko no Bonsho Bell The Prifectual Property　

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Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine prserved the Zuishinmon Gate and the Bell Tower even though the anti-Buddhist movement broke out after the Meiji Restoration, in addition, the shrine also preserved Genko no Bonsho Bell from some battles in Muromachi Period. The bell had buried under a zelkova tree to protect from some wars and terrors since Kanto region had been socially and politically instable at that time, and it found in late Edo period. Edo Meisho Zue (a guide book described Edo published in Edo period) described that the bell was hidden to protect from the chaotic time. And the discovering age of 1793, the Genko no Bell became very popular among people living in Edo.
Moreover, Genko no Bonsho Bell is also an important material to find out the nature around Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine and Yawata in those day since the sentences inscribed on it has some information discribing them.
Why don't you visit and see Genko no Bonsho Bell?


* Some pictures on this page are taken before the renovation.

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Genko no Bonsho designated as the Prifectural Property

A Bell (inscribed the date 'the Genko first' on) designated as the prifectural property in April 24th of 1959

A Bell (inscribed the date 'the Genko first' on) designated as the prefectural property in April 24th of 1959.
The bell called Genko no Bonsho is found in January 19th of 1793 at the root of an old zelkova tree fallen down the storm.
The height of the bell is 117.2 cm and the diameter is 66.7 cm, there some joint parts, so it is divided into 3 parts, the dragon head, the upper part and the lower part of the bell, when it was casted.
There is no decoration on the bands, 80 projections (4 x 5) called chi in each area on the upper part of the bell, it has 2 tsukizas where the hammer hits are round shape decorated with sharp lotus patterns horizontal to the dragon heads.
Some letters were inscribed in Ike no Ma (lower part of the bell) and it told the history of Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine, according to it, the shrine was founded by the order of the Emperor Uta during Kanpyo era (889-898), Yoritomo Minamoto especially believed it deeply, and it stood on the shore of the Tokyo Bay at that time.
The bell was donated by Uemon no Jo Shinkichi Maruko in December 17th of 1321, and the sentences on the bell was created by Hoin (the priest) Chien.
The age of 1321 was in the reign of the Emperor Godaigo, and it was between the times that Shochu Disturbance in 1324 and Genko War in 1331 occured, so it was the time in the chaos.
Moreover, there was the date 'March 21st of 1421' in different font style on the upper part of the bell is uncertain now.


平成２８年３月　市川市教育委員会
葛飾八幡宮境内元亨の梵鐘案内板より

The Sentences On Genko no Bonsho

敬
奉冶鋳銅鐘
大日本国　東州下総　第一鎮守　葛飾八幡　是大菩薩
傳聞寛平　宇多天皇　勅願社壇　建久以来　右大将軍
崇敬殊勝　天長地久　前横巨海　後連遠村　魚虫性動
鳬鐘暁聲　人獣眠覺　金啓夜響　求除煩悩　能證菩薩
元亨元年十二月十七日
願主右衛門尉丸子真吉
別當法印智円

'This carefully created bell would be faithfully dedicated to the Great Bodhisattva in Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine, the first ranked guardian god at Shimousa, Eastern Provinces, Japan.
According to some legends, the Emperor Uta ordered to found it in Kanpyo era in Heian Period, and the Right General (Yoritomo Minamoto) faithfully believed it.
There is a great ocean in front of Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine, and some villages lined behind it. All creatures, insects, fish, birds, animals and people live actively, happily and peacefully forever.
Pray for the Bodhisattva to emancipate from passions.
Petitioner: Shinkichi Maruko Uemonnojo
Chien Betto Hoin (the chief priest of the shrine)'


引用、抜粋並びに参考
葛飾八幡宮境内元亨の梵鐘案内板
葛飾八幡宮内御由緒書
随神門前案内板
海厳山徳願寺前案内板
市川市ホームページ
江戸名所図会６　ちくま学芸文庫
房総叢書 紀元二千六百年記念 第8卷葛飾紀
房総叢書 紀元二千六百年記念 第6卷葛飾誌略
房総叢書 紀元二千六百年記念 第1卷下総式社考
改訂新版　市川のむかし話
ウィッキペディア

The Location and Access to Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine

Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine

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• Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine has great accessibilities from both Narita and Haneda International Airport.
• From Narita International Airport, take Keisei-line and get off Keisei Yawata Sta, take minimally 45 minutes from Narita Airport. And also take JR Sobu-express line, transfer the line at Funabashi to Keisei-line, get off Keisei Yawata Sta.
• From Haneda International Airport, take Keikyu-line bound to Narita, and get off Keisei Yawata Sta.
• Take 5 minute walk from Keisei Yawata Sta.
• 4-2-1 Yawata, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba-ken

The Scenaries in Katsushika Hachimangu Shirne

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