Shinsho-ji Temple is popularly known as Narita’s Fudo-sama, and has been a sacred place of pilgrimage for many people since the Edo period, including the Kabuki actors Danjuro Ichikawa and Ebizo Ichikawa.
The temple is the head temple of the Chizan school of the Shingon sect, founded in 940 by High Priest Kancho. The main deity, Fudo Myoo, was carved and opened by Kobo Daishi (a great Buddhist priest) in the Heian period (794-1185) at the request of the Emperor Sama, with a single sword and three bowings and reverent prayers.
This image is said to be the image of a man of great spiritual power who performed the gomamaho ritual every morning and evening for peace under heaven, a good harvest, and prosperity for all people. In 939, the second year of Emperor Suzaku’s reign, High Priest Kancho returned the temple to Naritasan in order to pacify the rebellion of Taira no Masakado, and Naritasan was founded.
The Niomon Gate was rebuilt in 1831. The gate is located at the entrance to the temple grounds and serves as a guardian of the temple complex.
Adjacent to the gate is Niou-ike (free-springing pond), which conveys the Buddhist concept of “non-killing” and respect for the life of all living creatures.
10 minutes on foot from JR/Keisei Narita Station