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Sacred Smoke and Symbols: The Incense Burner and Crests of Gumyoji Temple
Location: Gumyoji, Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan
Timestamp: 18:35・2024/04/09
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 10 sec. at ƒ/6.4
Classic Negative film simulation
In this photo, you can see the large, cauldron-shaped incense burner situated at the top of the stairs in front of Gumyoji Temple. Like when visiting a Shinto shrine, visitors are encouraged to purify themselves first. Near the entrance, you’ll typically find a temizuya or chozuya water basin, where you can wash your hands and rinse your mouth. However, unlike at a shrine, Buddhist temples often feature a jokoro or incense burner as well.
You can waft the incense smoke over parts of your body that feel unwell, with the belief that the smoke has healing properties. Directing the smoke toward your head is thought to bring wisdom and mental clarity. When I visited the temple late in the evening, the incense had already burned out, so I couldn’t capture the serene scene of smoke gently drifting over the temple grounds.
On the front of the jokoro, two decorative crests are prominently displayed, serving as distinctive symbols for the temple. Although I couldn’t verify the exact origins or connections of these symbols to Gumyoji Temple, such crests are typically chosen for several reasons. They may reflect legendary ties to the temple's founding monks, the geographical name of the area, or the family crest of a significant monk. They can also indicate an association with the imperial family. Most commonly, these crests adopt the family emblem of a benefactor who provided land for the temple or supported its construction financially.
The first symbol is a gosan-no-kiri crest, which is a traditional Japanese emblem featuring the paulownia plant. The crest typically consists of three leaves and clusters of flowers arranged in a specific pattern of three, five, and three flowers. The crest also serves as the official seal of the Japanese government, specifically the Prime Minister’s office, the Cabinet, and the executive branch of the Japanese government.
The second symbol is the hidari-mitsudomoe, a triple-tomoe motif that flows to the left. This emblem has been part of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples since the Heian period (794-1185). Although its origins and meanings are not entirely clear, in Japan, it is often seen on roof tiles' eaves. Resembling flowing water and with the kanji for "tomoe" meaning "eddy" or "whirlpool," it is believed to help ward off fire.
Glossary
- 屋根付外置香炉・Yanetsuki Gaichi Kōro: This is a compound word describing an incense burner with a roof designed for outdoor placement.
- 常香炉・Jōkōro: A large incense burner that is typically used as part of a purification ritual where worshippers offer incense and bathe in its smoke before proceeding to the main hall of the temple. This ritual cleansing symbolizes purification of the mind and body before entering sacred spaces.
- 五三桐 ・Gosan-no-Kiri: a symbolic representation consisting of three leaves and an inflorescence with 3–5–3 flowers, derived from the paulownia tree. Originally a private symbol of the Japanese Imperial Family, Gosan-no-Kiri is now used as a governmental emblem. It has historical ties to imperial patronage, where it was bestowed upon head temples or given to temples by significant patrons.
- 左三つ巴・Hidari-Mitsudomoe: A three-tomoe symbol with tomoe spinning in the left direction. In Japanese, the character for tomoe (巴) means eddy or whirlpool.
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