Marishitenson-do Hall Shrine stands near the Yamazaki three-way intersection, which overlaps with Chichibu Okan Highway and marks the starting point of Ome Kaido Avenue. Legend has it that the hall was erected here after a man named Rikijo quelled a local epidemic by offering a prayer that continued for 21 days. It is also said that the shrine’s principal image of worship was later received from a shrine in Edo Fukagawa. Traces of what appear to be a 4.5-meter-wide land allotment marking can still be seen today.
The name Marishiten (Marishitenson) comes from the Sanskrit Marici, the name of a Hindu goddess worshipped in India. Marici later came to be worshipped also in Buddhism, and was considered a guardian goddess of samurai warriors in medieval Japan. Marishiten is also a guardian goddess of journeys, so many people are said to have stopped by to pray at this hall before embarking on their journey.
The name Marishiten (Marishitenson) comes from the Sanskrit Marici, the name of a Hindu goddess worshipped in India. Marici later came to be worshipped also in Buddhism, and was considered a guardian goddess of samurai warriors in medieval Japan. Marishiten is also a guardian goddess of journeys, so many people are said to have stopped by to pray at this hall before embarking on their journey.