Inokashira Pond Benzaiten Shrine (Inokashira Ike no Benzaiten no Yashiro) from "Guide to Famous Spots of Edo Vol. 4"
Compiled by Saitō Chōshū, Painted by Hasegawa Settan 1834-1836 (Tempō 5 to Tempō 7) Kaga Collection 256

Inokashira Pond is the water source of Kanda Jōsui, the first canal system developed during Edo times. Benzaiten refers to the story that, during the Tengyō era (938-946), Minamoto no Tsunemoto (?-961) first installed a statue of the goddess Benzaiten at the shrine. The statue had been made by Dengyō Daishi (the priest who founded Tendai Buddhism). During Edo times, the shrine attracted the religious fervor of those who were born and raised in the city. Furthermore, in that the area surrounding the shrine was very fertile; many trees were planted in order to cultivate the water source.


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