historic sitetemple (Buddhist)Ueno, Yanaka, Nippori

Enmeiji Temple, Jizo (a jizo that cuts off the head) / Kozukabara Penitentiary Site (Minami-Senju, Tokyo)（Kubikiri Jizo of Enmeiji Temple, Site of Kozukahara execution chamber)

place of executionKozukahara Penitentiarydesignated cultural propertystone monument bearing an inscription (esp. memorial for future generations)Kubiki Jizo, the guardian deity of children

Enmeiji Temple is a temple of the Jodo sect, which became independent from Kozukabara Kaikyoin in 1982. This area was the site of the Kozukahara Penitentiary, where about 200,000 people were executed in the Edo period (1603-1867), along with the Suzugamori Penitentiary in Shinagawa, until it was abolished in the early Meiji period (1868-1912). It is a distinctive feature of the temple. The Jizo also served the role of mourning the souls of those who had fallen ill along the Nikko Kaido Road, in addition to providing peace of mind to criminals who had been sentenced to death. Since the Meiji Restoration, it has been worshipped by the local people as a Jizo that is beneficial for warding off calamities and curing illnesses.

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