[Latest Research] Publication of 'Temples in Itabashi': From Craftsmen to the Tokugawa Shogun's Family - Unraveling the Forms of Prayer from the Temple Treasures of Itabashi-shuku

"Cultural Properties Series Vol. 102: Temples in Itabashi - History and Culture Seen in Cultural Properties Owned by Temples (Shingon Sect Edition)" [First in about 50 years: The latest research on Itabashi's temples and temple treasures by Itabashi Ward] The Itabashi Ward Board of Education has published a report titled "Cultural Properties Series Vol. 102: Temples in Itabashi - History and Culture Seen in Cultural Properties Owned by Temples (Shingon Sect Edition)", which investigates and explains the precious cultural properties that have been preserved and passed down in Itabashi's temples from the perspectives of history and art history. The publication of a temple investigation report by the ward is the first in about 50 years since the last publication in 1982. This book features the "treasures" owned by three temples in the ward (Nichiyoji, Kanmyoji, Nakadai Enmeiji) that were recently investigated. It is a single volume that compiles numerous precious Buddhist arts, which are usually not open to the public, along with the latest research results conducted by ward curators, universities, and museum researchers, as well as beautiful high-definition color illustrations. Through this book, we unravel the "diverse forms of prayer" in Itabashi that connect people, the region, and the past and present—from the Itabashi-shuku that flourished as a post town on the Nakasendo, to Kyoto connected by the Nakasendo, and even the Tokugawa Shogun's family. This book is on sale at the Ward Local History Museum and the Ward Administration Information Room. Furthermore, it can be viewed freely at the Ward Central Library. By tracing the Nakasendo and Kawagoe Kaido, please take a close look at the connections that expand from the precious "treasures" infused with the "prayers" and "wishes" of diverse people gathering in Itabashi. Ward Official Website [Main Highlights] Itabashi was home to Itabashi-shuku, through which the main road "Nakasendo" connecting Edo and Kyoto passed. The temples in Itabashi along the Nakasendo are places that gathered the faith of diverse people, from craftsmen to the Tokugawa Shogun's family. People gathering in this land made temples their "emotional support," and the temple treasures that have been shaped according to their diverse prayers are still carefully inherited as the region's "treasures" today. This is the latest outcome of Itabashi Ward's investigation and research on temples and temple treasures in the ward from the perspectives of history and art history, with the cooperation of the temples owning them, universities, and research institutions. ● [Illustration Section] High-definition color illustrations of Buddhist paintings published for the first time and usually closed to the public Buddhist paintings published for the first time or usually closed to the public were photographed with the latest technology and published as high-definition color images. You can carefully appreciate the delicate brushwork and vivid coloring of Buddhist painting craftsmen from the Edo period. ● [Treatise/Catalog Section] Research results and explanations based on expert knowledge of history and art history Detailed explanations from an expert perspective on the history of temples that have been cherished as people's emotional support, and the historical and art-historical positioning of cultural properties. The exhaustive investigation of 600 volumes of scriptures owned by Nakadai Enmeiji is the result of a joint project between Itabashi Ward and Japan Women's University, and it is a spectacular material that tells the history and spread of regional prayers. "Cultural Properties Series Vol. 102: Temples in Itabashi - History and Culture Seen in Cultural Properties Owned by Temples (Shingon Sect Edition)" Color illustrations of cultural properties of Nichiyoji, Kanmyoji, and Nakadai Enmeiji, treatises, and a catalog of 600 volumes of "Dai Hannya Kyo" (Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra) A4 size / 144 pages / Illustration section in color, Treatise/Catalog section in monochrome 640 yen per copy. Sold at the Ward Local History Museum and Ward Administration Information Room; available for viewing at ward libraries. [Nichiyoji Temple] Red and Gold: From "Aizen Mandala" and "Buddhist Painting Dedicated by the Tayasu Family to Nichiyoji," gifted by the Tayasu family, a branch of the Tokugawa Shogun's family, owned by Nichiyoji "For Aizen-sama, it's Nichiyoji" for the Tokugawa Shogun's family, craftsmen, and travelers alike. A Reiunji school temple founded about 300 years ago, and one of the famous spots in Itabashi-shuku. From the magnificent Buddhist paintings associated with the Tayasu family, a branch of the Tokugawa Shogun's family, gifted to this temple and two origin stories, we unravel the unknown faith of the Tayasu family, the connection of Reiunji school temples, and the figure of Nichiyoji, which gathered the prayers of diverse people including samurai, craftsmen, and travelers. [Kanmyoji Temple] From "Nirvana Picture of the Buddha" and "Buddhist Painting Dedicated by the Toyoda Family to Kanmyoji," gifted by the people of Hirao-shuku for the restoration of the temple, owned by Kanmyoji The prayers and emotional support of the people of Hirao-shuku on the Nakasendo A Shingon sect Buzan school temple at Hirao-shuku, the entrance to Itabashi-shuku, founded in the Muromachi period over 500 years ago. From diverse "treasures" such as a monument built by the people of Hirao-shuku to pray for health and longevity, and Buddhist paintings gifted by Hirao-shuku for the restoration of the temple after a fire, we approach the continuous connection between Kanmyoji and Hirao-shuku. [Nakadai Enmeiji Temple] From the scroll for temple restoration painted in Kyoto "Dai Hannya Shaka Juroku Zenshin-zu" (Shakyamuni and the Sixteen Good Deities of the Great Perfection of Wisdom) and "Dai Hannya Shaka Juroku Zenshin-zu and Shaka Nehan-zu (Nirvana Picture of Shakyamuni) owned by Nakadai Enmeiji", owned by Nakadai Enmeiji Temple Restoration and Faith - Buddhist paintings painted in Kyoto and sutras gifted by about 600 people A Shingon sect Buzan school temple founded in the Edo period about 400 years ago. It suffered frequent fires and was restored by the chief priest and villagers at the end of the Edo period. The axes of the restoration were Buddhist paintings painted in Kyoto and 600 volumes of the Dai Hannya Kyo with the names of about 600 people written on them. From the research conducted by Itabashi Ward, Kyoto City University of Arts Art Museum, and Japan Women's University, the connection between the restoration of Nakadai Enmeiji, Kyoto, and the faith region is revealed.