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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.7, No.6
Publication Date: June 25, 2020
DOI:10.14738/assrj.76.8525.
Ito, H., & Kawabata, K. (2020). Changes in the Described Elements of Sensoji Temple following its Park Designation. Advances in Social
Sciences Research Journal, 7(6) 641-650.
Changes in the Described Elements of Sensoji Temple following its
Park Designation
Hiromu Ito
Faculty of Art and Design, University of Tsukuba,
Japan.
Kana Kawabata
Tokyo Metropolitan, Japan.
ABSTRACT
How the elements of a religious facility became recognized after its
designation as a park was clarified in this study based on the changes in
the descriptions of the facility in guidebooks and pictorial charts.
Immediately after the facility was designated as a park, the image of a
park was merely added to the idea of the temple. However, Kinryusan
Sensoji Temple clearly became considered one of the park components
only after the full-scale maintenance and division of the park in 1884.
These changes were greatly influenced by the changes in the physical
environment based on the institutional meaning of the park in addition
to the background of the existence and use of the park becoming widely
established from the period when it was designated as a park to the
period when it was developed into a tourist attraction. While the extent
of recognition of Sensoji Temple as a park increased, the extent of
recognition of the site as a temple diminished and became limited.
Tourists perceived that Sensoji Temple was composed only of Kannondo
Hall and spatially considered the entire park as a collection of sections.
As a result, the area recognized as a temple was limited to the central
part of the Sensoji Temple precinct, while the spatial functions that
Sensoji Temple originally possessed were divided and removed. Thus,
the characteristics of the temple as a tourist site also changed.
Keywords: Park Designation, Sensoji, Temple, Entertainment District.
INTRODUCTION
The tourism industry has now expanded globally. In Japan, the Basic Law for Promotion of Tourism
Nation was enacted in 2007, and the Tourism Agency was established in 2008. The Tourism Nation
Promotion Basic Plan formulated in 2012 advocates and promotes new tourism activities, such as
eco-, cultural, and health tourism [1]. Thus, in addition to traditional mass tourism, tourism
activities with new purposes and types have emerged, and various efforts have been made to
transform religious facilities into tourism sites. However, the new meaning of religious facilities,
e.g., the world heritage sites of churches in Nagasaki, has revealed problems such as
commercialization [2]. The trend toward new meanings derived from the new roles set for these
religious facilities is expected to increase in future. In the process of turning religious facilities into
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URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.76.8525 642
Ito, H., & Kawabata, K. (2020). Changes in the Described Elements of Sensoji Temple following its Park Designation. Advances in Social Sciences Research
Journal, 7(6) 641-650.
tourism sites in Japan, the characteristics of the religious sites used as a site of worship must be
described clearly, such as how they have been treated so far and what issues have arisen.
Considering the modern transformation of temples and shrines, although some sites have shown an
overall trend [3] and some have seen an actual transformation [4], no studies have explored how
perceptions have changed as a result of their designation as urban parks. With regard to Sensoji
Temple, studies have been performed on the transformation of the temple grounds and its
entertainment industry in the early modern period [5].
This study aims to clarify the changes in the recognition of the religious facility at Sensoji Temple,
which was designated as an urban park in the Meiji era, and show how the facility and its
surroundings were then integrated into a modern entertainment area.
METHOD
The study location is the Kinryusan Sensoji Temple in Taito-ku, Tokyo (Figure 1). A literature survey
was performed based on guidebooks because they influence travelers’ cognition about tourism
sites. That is, travelers are influenced by tourism materials showcasing the attractions at the
tourism sites. We extracted sentences and pictures from these guidebooks and analyzed the
described elements using all elements and their compositions. The survey period comprises the
period from the middle of the Edo era, when the Sensoji Temple began to be known as an
entertainment area to the WW2 period immediately before the park designation was lifted. We
divided this period into three periods according to the changes in the surrounding environment and
observed the changes in each period.
Eshtablished in the 7th century, Kinryusan Sensoji Temple was the oldest temple in Tokyo and was
known as an entertainment area during the Edo period. In 1873 (Meiji 6), the site and its
surroundings were designated as an urban park by the Declaration of the Dajokan (Grand Council
of state). The later construction of the Rinsenchi area (including many ponds) and development of
the Asakusa 6 Ward transformed these areas into an entertainment district. Although Asakusa Park
was delisted in 1947 and officially demolished in 1951 with its properties returned to all the old
temples, Sensoji Temple is now a well-known tourism site visited by many domestic and foreign
tourists. Thus, we considered Sensoji Temple as a site with meanings other than as a place of
worship developed into an entertainment area as the subject of this study.
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol.7, Issue 6, June-2020
Figure 1. Kinryusan Sensoji Temple
Data Source: Prepared by the author based on a Geographical Institute map
RESULTS
Time division
There were no significant changes in the pictorial maps and topographic maps of Sensoji Temple’s
surrounding environment in the survey period immediately after the designation of the park during
the late Edo and early Meiji periods. Many temples were built around the Sensoji Temple precinct
and its branch temples lined both sides of the approach (Nakamise). When the park was fully
developed and divided into zones, Rinsenchi was established in Hiyoke-chi (an open space for the
fire prevention) on the west side of the precinct and the town was developed and later called
Asakusa 6 Ward (see the map after 1884 (Meiji 17)).
Furthermore, the environment around Sensoji Temple changed drastically after the establishment
of the park because the branch temples lining both sides of the approach were removed. The survey
period was divided into three periods according to the park designation in 1873 and park
maintenance in 1884, which significantly changed the environment surrounding Sensoji Temple.
The period from the middle of the late Edo period to the park designation in 1873 was set as the
“preceding park designation” period, the period from the park designation to the park maintenance
in 1884 was set as the “park designation” period, while the period after the park development was
set as the “entertainment district development” period.
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URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.76.8525 644
Ito, H., & Kawabata, K. (2020). Changes in the Described Elements of Sensoji Temple following its Park Designation. Advances in Social Sciences Research
Journal, 7(6) 641-650.
A total of 24 collected materials were divided into these three periods: 2 in the preceding park
designation period; 5 in the park designation period; and 17 in the entertainment district
development period (see Table 1).
Space Use of Asakusa Park
Asakusa Park mainly consists of the Sensoji Temple precinct and the land owned by the old temple
that became public land after the removal of temple and shrine grounds in 1871 (Meiji 4). The park
designation for this land has enabled the government to receive tax activities from the areas that
comprise a thriving entertainment area [6].
The tax revenues from the Sensoji Temple precinct and Asakusa Park support the management of
all park areas in Tokyo Prefecture. No major maintenance was performed immediately after the
park designation in 1873 and the right to manage the premises was simply transferred from Sensoji
Temple to Tokyo Prefecture. The temple precinct was expanded with the irregular incorporation of
the affiliated land; however, full-scale maintenance of the park began in 1884. The park
administration removed street stalls from the park and demolished unnecessary buildings. In
addition to removing and restricting the buildings and businesses throughout the park, the park
was divided into seven sections. The construction of Rinsenchi in the former fire station site began
in 1882 (Meiji 15) and was completed in 1885 (Meiji 18). The Nakamise was also remodeled in brick
in 1885. At the time of these developments, the buildings including theaters and shops that were
not suitable for the temple precinct, especially in Okuyama, near the center of the temple precinct,
were relocated to the cleared site of the old fire station. These changes led to the construction of
Asakusa 6 Ward. Immediately after the establishment of 6 Ward, the area was quiet because of the
overpriced land rent and severe business restrictions.
However, after the number of available businesses increased significantly in 1886 (Meiji 19), the
area immediately developed into an entertainment district. Asakusa 6 Ward is now a better known
destination than Asakusa Park. While Okuyama declined, 6 Ward continued to prosper until the end
of the WW2 after the demolition of the park, but the area declined gradually. From the designated
period of the park to the development of the entertainment area, Asakusa Park was modeled after
ideal Western parks, such as including a financial source within the park system to pay for itself. At
that time, Japanese park administrations were modelled after ideal Western urban parks, such as
those in Paris and Berlin. Hibiya Park, which was conceived around 1884 and opened in 1903 (Meiji
36), was the main example of these Western-style parks in Japan.
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol.7, Issue 6, June-2020
Table 1. List of Research Materials
The park system was financially independent during this time and the profits from each park were
used for all parks operated by the Tokyo Prefecture administration. However, the income from
Asakusa Park comprised about 80% of the income from all parks [7] and was later used to establish
Hibiya Park [8]. The park administration promoted the development of Asakusa 6 Ward and
increased the different kinds of businesses available. Thus, while Asakusa Park was formerly a
famous site, it became considered a financial engine for the Tokyo Prefecture park system during
the entertainment district development period.
Among the other parks in Tokyo Prefecture, the first National Industrial Exhibition was held in Ueno
Park in 1877 in addition to the welcome party for General Grant in 1879 (Meiji 12). Various
commemorative ceremonies and popular movements were also held in Ueno, Shiba, and Hibiya
parks, in addition to other urban parks. Thus, parks were places for the public to express their will
[9]. However, such ceremonies were rarely held in Asakusa Park, except for a gathering of people
protesting the riots in the US in 1923 and a commemorative ceremony for the founding of the
Socialist Alliance in 1919.
Asakusa Park remained a popular entertainment district before and after its designation as a park;
however, the number of shows held in Okuyama (e.g., Enmado, Nenbutsudo, and Syakado halls)
reached their maximum, especially during Meiji 12–14. The center of the entertainment district
moved to 6 Ward after its establishment. Asakusa Park differs from other Tokyo parks because of
Period Research Material (Publication year)
Preceding Park Designation Period (-
1872)
Edo Snago ((,, 1732)
Edo Meisyo Zue ((, 1836)
Park Designation Period (1873-1884)
Tokyo Meisyo Zue (#, 1877)
Kaisei Tokyo Annai (&#$, 1881)
Tokyo Kenbutsu Meisyo Annai (#.*$, 1881)
Tokyo Meisyo Annai (#$, 1883)
Entertainment District Development
Period
(1885- 1947)
Tokyo Manyu Hitori Annai (#)3+$, 1889)
Tokyo Annai (#$, 1890)
Tokyo Meisyo Kan (#-, 1892)
Tokyo Meisyo Annai (#$
, 1894)
Tokyo Annai (#$7
3', 1894)
Tokyo Meisyo Annai (#$, 1896)
Shinsen Tokyo Meisyo Zue (#, 1897)
Tokyo Marian (# /, 1904)
Tokyo Annai (#$, 1907)
Saishin Tokto Annai (!#$, 1907)
Tokyofu Meisyou Zue (#, 1912)
Yuran Tokyo Annai (3/#$, 1922)
Tokyo Kenbutsu staying home (#.*, 1922)
True Tokyo Annai (% #$, 1922)
Tokyo Meisyo Annai (#$, 1928)
Nihon Annaiki ("$1, 1930)
North Tokyo Annai as a Hobby (24#$, 1940)
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Ito, H., & Kawabata, K. (2020). Changes in the Described Elements of Sensoji Temple following its Park Designation. Advances in Social Sciences Research
Journal, 7(6) 641-650.
its roles as both an entertainment district and a financial resource for the Tokyo Prefecture park
system.
CHANGES OF DESCRIBED ELEMENTS
Guidebooks
To clarify the influence on the recognition of Sensoji Temple following its park designation, we
extracted and described elements from the guidebooks for Sensoji Temple, classified them in the
context of temple or park, and clarified their distribution on the map. The classification was based
on chapter headings. Contents without headings were judged from the preceding sentences and
paragraphs. The main components of Sensoji Temple, such as Kannondo Hall and Niomon Gate,
were described consistently at all times (Table 2).
There were no significant changes in the described elements in the context of temple in the
preceding park designation and park designation periods, and almost all religious facilities in the
temple precinct were described consistently throughout almost the entire area.
In the period immediately after the park designation, becoming a designated park was described as
an event at Sensoji Temple. Nakamise was described in the context of Sensoji Temple. But while
Kannondo Hall was described more frequently, other elements were mentioned less often. The
described elements in the context of the park included just the natural environment, such as trees,
in the Sensoji Temple precinct. However, the natural environment was ruined at that time because
the area was now outside Sensoji Temple’s control. The natural environment described as “Nature”
in the guidebooks was not remarkable and the image of a Western park at that time, i.e., “getting
close to nature in the city,” was merely added to the image of a temple.
During the entertainment district development period, the major components of Sensoji Temple
were still described in the context of park. A fewer materials described in the context of temple than
those in that of park. The main elements, i.e., Kannondo Hall, Niomon Gate, and the Five-Storied
Pagoda, were described as parts of both the temple and the park in many materials. The elements
that were first described in this period had not previously been described in the context of the
temple, although they did not have a special role or event. These elements were described in a
comprehensive description of the park’s characteristics. Many entertainment facilities were
established during this period and described in many materials. As previously described in the
context of the temple, many materials now described Nakamise in the context of the park.
During the park designation period to the entertainment district development period, the
recognition of the objective area was reversed from the temple to the park because of the
transformation of the described elements.
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Ito, H., & Kawabata, K. (2020). Changes in the Described Elements of Sensoji Temple following its Park Designation. Advances in Social Sciences Research
Journal, 7(6) 641-650.
separated from the temple context. The structure of the temple is to pass through the Sanmon Gate
to approach the main hall; therefore, its spatial functions, such as the traditional entertainment
district operating since modern times, were established by the arrangement and location of
elements, and its mutual relationships were divided and removed.
ILLUSTRATIONS
We initially investigated 75 illustrations from the objective literature and then counted the
frequency of appearance of components with an appearance frequency of
2. Components with an
appearance frequency of 1 were collectively described as “other religious facilities” or “other
entertainment facilities.” Maps and bird’s-eye views were excluded from the investigation because
all elements were described in these illustrations.
As a result, Kannondo Hall, Niomon Gate, and the Five-Storied Pagoda were described in all periods.
Thus, they were recognized as the main symbols of both Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Park (Table
3).
Table 3. Number of Materials and Illustrations
Preceding Park Designation Period
In the first period of the park designation, the only material surveyed was the Edo Meisho Zue (a
map of famous places in Edo). Most illustrations were bird’s-eye views and mainly related to events;
thus, they were excluded from the survey. However, the overall description of the shops, theatrical
performances, and the customers who gathered in these buildings was detailed and the
characteristics of the modern-day Sensoji Temple tourism site as an entertainment district were
well expressed.
Park Designation Period
During this period, three park components, i.e., buildings (mainly Niomon Gate), the Five-Storied
Pagoda, and Nakamise (sando) were described in all five illustrations. In this period, everything was
hand-drawn and painted using compositions that did not conform to the actual spatial arrangement.
Kannondo Hall, the Five-Storied Pagoda, and Nakamise (sando) were described in the Tokyo Meisho
Zue, which is the oldest illustration from this period. The space was clearly distorted and the Five- Storied Pagoda was described (Fig. 2). In the remaining four illustrations, the perspective receded
and the three park components were described, in addition to Kannon Hall. The perspective is
considered to have receded in line with the actual placement. The composition of the three elements
rather than the individual components was preferred as a symbol of the temple.
Preceding Park
Designation Period (1/11)
Park Designation Period
(5/5)
Park Designation Period
(14/59)
Kannondo Hall
Niomon Gate
Five-Storied Pagoda
Nakamise
Rinsenchi
Hanayashki
Ryounkaku Tower
Show Booth
Other Religious Facilities
Other Entertainment
Facilities
1/1
1/9
1/1
1/1
4/4
5/5
5/5
10/14
10/16
8/11
6/6
3/3
3/3
3/3
5/5
2/12
2/10
Note: Number of Materials/Number of Illustrations.