The precincts of Enyu-ji Temple were quiet and Shakado Hall was seen through Niomon Gate

Shakado Hall of Enyu-ji Temple seen through the Niomon Gate

According to the official website, the temple was founded in 853, which means that it has a history of more than 1000 years. For a temple with such a long history, there must be a lot of worshippers who come to pay their first visit of the year to the temple. With this in mind, I visited Enyu-ji Temple in Himonya, Tokyo, on New Year's Day, and contrary to my expectations, the temple grounds were empty. There were only a handful of worshippers, and not a single stall selling ceremonial arrows or food. The precincts of Enyu-ji Temple were completely enveloped in the silence of the New Year.

Standing in front of the Niomon gate, I could see the old wooden Shakado Hall through the gate. The quiet precincts of the temple provide a good vantage point, but at the same time make one feel a bit uneasy. The fact that there were so few people visiting the temple made me wonder if the temple was actually off-limits, or if the temple still held its first visit on the lunar New Year's Day.

As I was shaking off these fantasies, I saw other worshippers appear out of nowhere to pay their respects at Shakado Hall. Although they were few, there were still a few people who came to pay their respects. I was relieved to know that the world line I knew was still intact. I wondered why there were so few worshippers.

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