Pop Japan

Known as the Eastern Temple of the Original Vow, the Higashi Hongaji is one of the two most notable and large temples in central Tokyo. The other one is a temple situated in the western area, bearing the same name.

During the time of the great shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Shin Buddhism in Japan had been growing their power. Their main temple was the Nishi Hongaji or the Western Temple of the Original Vow. To weaken this power, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the establishment of a second temple located at the other end of Tokyo. This happened in 1602, around 11 years after the foundation of the first temple.

Tags: eastern temple of the original vow, higashi hongaji, tokyo, nishi hongaji, western temple of the original vow, tokugawa ieyasu, shin buddhism, central tokyo