Whispered Shadow·Rakuchū / Gojō

Junen-ga-tsuji, Last-Prayer Crossing

The crossroads where Shinmachi-dori meets Matsubara-dori was once known as Junen-ga-tsuji, the Crossroads of the Ten Nenbutsu. By tradition — accounts vary — before condemned prisoners paraded through the city were divided toward the execution grounds east and west, a monk from Jokoku-ji in Teramachi-Takatsuji would wait here and offer ten recitations of the nenbutsu for their rebirth in the next world. Just south stands Matsubara Dosojin Shrine, and the crossroads is remembered as a boundary between life and death.

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These notes come from desk research. Local traditions vary.