The approach to Joshin-ji Temple is thoughtfully straight

As you leave Kuhonbutsu station, your eyes are drawn to a straight approach to the Buddhist temple. At the entrance, there is a thick stone pillar that looks like it is made of white yokan (bean jelly), and it is marked "Joshin-ji Approach." This is the entrance to Josinji Temple, commonly called "Kuhonbutsu." It is not a tourist attraction like Senso-ji Temple, but it is a Buddhist temple worth seeing. In any case, it is not a tourist attraction, so it is empty. I did not plan to stop at Josin-ji Temple that day. However, when I arrived at Kuhonbutsu station, I walked to the temple grounds along the approach to the temple.

The path seemed to go straight past the temple gate to the main hall, but it did not. Before I reached the gate, let alone the main hall, I had to make a turn. Why do Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples sometimes give us misleading directions? I often feel as if I am being forced to take a deliberate detour instead of going directly to my destination. Is it because I am steeped in modern rationality that I feel this way? Looking back on my usual behavior, though, I don't think I'm very steeped in rationalism.

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