Zōjō-ji

Sangedatsumon

The 21 meter (69 foot), two-storied main gate or sangedatsumon (三解脱門) was constructed in 1622,^[9] and it is therefore the oldest wooden building in Tokyo.^[10] The temple's only original structure to survive the Second World War,^[11] it has been designated an Important Cultural Property.

"San" (三) means "three", and "Gedatsu" (解脱) means "Moksha". If someone passes through the gate, he can free himself from three passions (貪 Ton; "greed", 瞋 Shin; "hatred", 癡 Chi; "foolishness").^[9]

On the upper floor are enshrined an image of Gautama Buddha flanked by two attendants, and statues of the Sixteen Arhats.^[9]

Mausoleum of Tokugawa Shōguns

Six of the 15 Tokugawa shōguns are buried at Zōjō-ji.^[12] The Taitoku-in Mausoleum of Hidetada (and the monument to his wife Sūgen'in), Ienobu, and Ietsugu had been designated National Treasures of Japan, but were burned in World War II. At present, parts of two of their graves have the distinction of being Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Additional graves are located in the cemetery behind the Great Hall. Parts of the former grounds of the temple are now occupied by a park and two hotels. Tokugawa Iemochi also Iemochi's wife, Kazu-no-Miya Chikako also buried in Zozo-ji. Most of the buildings were destroyed in an air raid in 1945 (Showa 20). The tombs, which were located on the north and south sides, were subsequently consolidated into one place and reinterred at their current location.

Interred at Zojo-ji Temple are six shoguns: the 2nd Hidetada, the 6th Ienobu, the 7th Ietsugu, the 9th Ieshige, the 12th Ieyoshi, and the 14th Iemochi, as well as five lawful wives, including Sugen-in (wife of the 2nd Hidetada) and Princess Kazunomiya (wife of the 14th Iemochi). The joint tomb enshrines the children of past shoguns, including the 3rd shogun Iemitsu's concubine Keishoin (the biological mother of the 5th shogun Tsunayoshi), five other concubines, the 3rd shogun Iemitsu's third son, Kofu Chancellor Tsunashige, and other children of past shoguns.

Sentai Kosodate Jizō (Unborn Children Garden)

In one particular garden at the cemetery, rows of stone statues of children represent unborn children, including miscarried, aborted, and stillborn children. Parents can choose a statue in the garden and decorate it with small clothing and toys. Usually the statues are accompanied by a small gift for Jizō, the guardian of unborn children, to ensure that they are brought to the afterlife. Occasionally stones are piled by the statue; this is meant to ease the journey to the afterlife.

Other structures

• Daiden (Great Hall) 1974
• Ankokuden - (Pilgrimage Hall) is a prayer hall at Zojoji Temple. Its principal image is the "Black Honzon" (Black Principal Image), said to grant good fortune and ward off evil. This statue, said to have been created by Eshin Sozu, was a personal Buddhist image carried by Tokugawa Ieyasu at all times to pray for victory in battles. Its name comes from its blackened appearance due to years of incense smoke. The Ankokuden was built in 1974, replacing the former main hall, and was rebuilt in 2011 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint [Hōnen]. Inside, the hall houses the standing Amida Buddha, a portrait of Tokugawa Ieyasu, memorial tablets of past shoguns, and a statue of Princess Kazunomiya. The Black Honzon is unveiled three times a year on the "Shogokyu" (59th day of the lunar calendar), and many worshippers attend the prayer service.
• Sutra Repository
• Treasures Gallery - In April 2015, a treasure exhibition room opened on the first basement floor of the main hall to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a 1/10 scale architectural model of the Daitokuin Mausoleum, which was once constructed on the right side of Zojoji Temple's grounds (near the Tokyo Prince Hotel). Also worth seeing is the 500 Arhats by Kano Kazunobu. The Arhat Hall was burned down during the war, but all 100 scrolls of the 500 Arhats survived. Ten scrolls at a time have been exhibited one after another. Each scroll depicts five of the 500 Arhats, each with vibrant expressions that are truly captivating.
• Bell Tower
• Enko Daishi Hall
• Koshoden