Kisshoin Is for When I Don’t Have Time
Kisshoin is close to my house. It’s on the south side of Takaido Station, and I’m on the north. This small temple is worth checking out. While I’m not a regular photographer there, I drop in when I am nearby or don’t have much time. It’s perfect for that type of photo shoot.
If you are into wabi-sabi, Kisshion is the place. It certainly is that. It meets the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy of being “subdued, austere beauty.” The grounds have a certain serenity about them.
There isn’t very much to it. It has a main hall and many Buddhist icons on the grounds. A line of jizo statues fills one corner. Everything is slowly but surely falling into a state of decay. Yes, it has a subdued, austere beauty.
No one is there whenever I go. I can’t remember the last time I saw someone praying at the hall or in the cemetery. But a rack has omikuji on it so people visit it. It is local.
And that is why I haven’t featured it on this blog. It’s not a major sightseeing or photography spot. But I appreciate it. The classic temple architecture is beautiful. Plus it’s near my house.
Kisshoin’s wabi-sabi atmosphere makes it a photo spot for me! So I thought I’d put it here for you. And there is one more reason.
I have been busy lately. You might remember from previous articles that I’ve become a tour guide. Yes, it’s true! After many years, I’ve said goodbye to English teaching (only later to reverse my decision).
To learn my new job, I need to visit many places. And as I’m still inexperienced, I spend much time memorizing scripts. I practice it most days of the week. And there are things I’m looking to add. I’m always on the internet learning more about Tokyo. Of course, I need to guide my guests too! I enjoy it, but it’s killing my photography time.
I used to post new blog articles twice a week. On rare occasions, it would be once. Now I wonder if there will be times when I publish nothing. It worries me, but I will soldier on. For the moment, tour guiding preparation is time-intensive.
Anyway, let’s get back to Kisshoin. In many respects, it is a typical Japanese temple. They are a dime a dozen in Tokyo. It’s not a Gokokuji or Sensoji, but for local members.
When I’m too busy, Kisshoin is something I can fall back on. It’s that place I can photograph when I don’t have time to travel further. I’m very grateful it’s there.
Where is Kisshoin Temple?
Address: 1-5-44 Takaidonishi, Suginami City, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train station:
Takaido on the Keio-Inokashira Line.
Kisshoin Temple photo gear:
Camera Body: Fujifilm X-T3
Lenses:
- Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Conclusion
When I don’t have time to search out one of Tokyo’s major temples, Kisshoin is something I fall back on. I’m lucky it’s near my apartment in Takaido. Maybe you know of similar places in this city. How about you tell us about it?
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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