ExperienceTokyo.Net - Japan has its own Ganpati Bappa

Ganesha Temple in Asakusa - Matsuchiyama Shoten Kangiten

Japan has its own Ganpati Bappa. BUT, you are not supposed to see him

Stories, symbols and rituals are the primary way to transmit ideas across generations and the Hindu religion uses symbols in form of idols extensively. So to represent Wisdom, you can look at a few attributes like,

WIDE EARS - Ability to assimilate a lot of input or listen

SMALL MOUTH - Talk less

FLEXIBLE TRUNK - High Adaptability

LARGE STOMACH - Ability to digest both good and bad

These traits collectively find the depiction in the popular elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom Ganesh/Ganapati. Indian tradition of "DARSHAN" or OBSERVATION implies, keeping your eyes open and understanding what the form communicates. Unfortunately, Ganesh or Ganpati in Japan is a form which cannot be publicly shown for reasons which are interesting to understand.

That said, from childhood, Ganesha has been worshipped at my home annually and I continue this tradition today at my home in Japan for the past 26 years. The below idol at my home in Tokyo is installed every Ganesh Chaturthi and is worshipped for ten days.

Kumiko Woodwork and Ganpati in Seishincho and Shoji

Ganesha In Japanese Culture

Buddhism and many other Hindu gods made their way through the trading route called as “Silk Road” around the 140 BC. Ganesha, worshipped then by the trading community made its way to Japan and even today he is worshipped in Japan as Kangiten, as a god of Conjugal Harmony, Child-Giving and Long Life. Ganesha is also called as Vinayaka in India, which has been translated in Japanese as Binayakaten 毘那夜迦天. I have visited this temple, Matsuchiyama Shōten which is said to be 1400 years old in 2014. It is on record that the great techer of Buddhism Jikkaku Daishi visited this temple in 859 AD and carved a Ganesh (Dai-Sho-Kangiten) idol in wood. The temple is located in the popular Asakusa district of Tokyo. Check the Google Maps location here. For reference, Dai means great, Sho means saint, Kangiten means God of bliss, Ganpati.

Main hall of Honryū-in (Matsuchiyama Shōden) temple in Asakusa

This temple has become well known from the latter half of the Edo period (1603–1869). People visited this temple to pray for the well-being of themselves and their families. In those days, there was a thick forest around, which has now been replaced by the Asakusa neighborhood. Today, Matsuchiyama Shōten has around 2000 believerswho believe in peace and prosperity through various activities, following the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism and Hindu gods are so interwined in Japan.

Why is Japan hiding its Ganesh/Ganpati Bappa

In Japan Kangiten is usually shown as a pair of two-armed, elephant-headed deities in embrace. Images of Kangiten are rare and many are kept as secret images in temples and shrines. Do not expect to see the idol here since this temple also keeps Kangiten, Ganesh as a secret god not displayed to the public. So here is a summary of why I feel Ganpati is not "on display" in Japan.

Kangiten is a 秘仏 (hibutsu), a secret god.
In Japanese esoteric Buddhism, some deities are deliberately kept away from ordinary public view. Kangiten is one of them. The belief is that the deity's sacred power is not something to be casually displayed.
The idol is considered too sacred and esoteric
Japanese Kangiten is sometimes represented as two elephant-headed figures embracing each other. The imagery has tantric and symbolic meanings connected with the union of opposing forces. Because of its esoteric nature, temples traditionally restrict who sees the actual image.
It is revealed only on exceptional occasions
Temples such as Matsuchiyama Shōden in Asakusa and Menuma Shōdenzan in Kumagaya normally keep the principal image concealed. A special 御開扉 (go-kaiji) or 御開帳 (go-kaichō) may allow devotees to see it, sometimes after many years. This makes actually photographing or seeing an authentic Japanese Kangiten extremely unusual and in Kumagaya made it open in 2019 for a short period. I hope to keep tabs on the next display schedule.

This temple has become well known from the latter half of the Edo period (1603 to 1869). People visited this temple to pray for the well-being of themselves and their families. In those days, there was a thick forest around, which has now been replaced by the Asakusa neighborhood. Today, Matsuchiyama Shōten has around 2000 believers who believe in peace and prosperity through various activities, following the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism and Hindu gods are so interwined in Japan.

Beautiful carvings dot the entrance steps, primarily the carving of the golden money bag and yes radish carving. If that surprises an visitors from India, in Japan, Ganesh or Kangiten is depicted as a two-armed god holding a trident and a radish. The white color of radish denotes extinguishing of “red” fire and as a vegetable for consumption radish has many medicinal properties which keeps keep you healthy (Kangiten- God of Joy and bliss). Radish is readily available at the temple as an offering, which you can buy at 300 yen a piece. I visited this on the Ganesh Chaturthi day (the day when Ganesh or Kangiten is worshipped in India), and coincidentally there was a festival going on in the shrine. Offerings to Kangiten or Ganesha in India is in multiples of 21. According to a story, a group of sages came and they offered 21 blades of Dhurva grass to Ganesha to help him with his stomach pain. As soon as he ate them, the burning in his stomach subsided. I do not know the interpretation of the story or its hidden meanings, but a ritual I follow in terms of the offering. Even the money that I offer, 21 yen…. I did it the Indian way.

My Personal Conclusion

In India, Ganesha is everywhere. He is visible in homes, temples, streets, festivals and even in everyday conversations. In Japan, the same Ganesha has travelled a very different journey. He became Kangiten, took on new meanings and became a deity whose image is often kept hidden from public view. The elephant head remains, but the way people relate to the deity has changed with the culture around him. Perhaps this is what makes the connection between India and Japan so interesting. The same god can travel thousands of kilometres, cross religions and centuries, and yet find a completely different place in people's lives. In India, we celebrate Ganesha by bringing him out into the open. In Japan, we find him by looking a little deeper.

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