Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

Chapter 308 Cat Jizo Hall
An hour later, Shinjuku District, Nishi-Ochiai.

Located in the western part of Shinjuku Ward, in a residential area adjacent to Nerima Ward, there is a dilapidated Buddhist temple surrounded by thick walls and red torii gates.

"We have arrived at the last shrine of the day, the Jishoin Cat Jizo Hall..."

"This place has gone through a chaotic era from 'the integration of Shinto and Buddhism' to 'separation of Shinto and Buddhism'. It can be said to be both a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple."

"According to historical records, Jisho-in Temple was originally a temple of the Toyozan sect of the Shingon sect. During the Battle of Ekotawara, Toyoshima Saemon escaped the war because a black cat led him to Jisho-in Temple."

"After that, Toyoshima Saemon destroyed the original Buddha statue here and built a stone statue of 'Cat Jizo' to worship here. The belief in worshiping Cat Jizo has been passed down."

While introducing the story, Aoi Jinguji tore off the seal, turned the door lock with the key, and opened the door under the red torii.

"It's such a large piece of land. Not to mention building a single family home, it's more than enough for a large villa."

The area inside the courtyard is much larger than it appears from the outside. Although it is overgrown with weeds and the walls are decaying, the huge two-story Buddhist hall in the center still manages to maintain its original structure.

From the spacious front and back yards, the quaint wabi-sabi design style, and the grand and majestic architectural appearance, one can imagine how magnificent this place must have been in the past.

"Such a magnificent and luxurious Buddhist temple is actually dedicated to cats?"

Cats, a creature that is extremely popular in District 0, actually did not originate on this island. Instead, they are "invasive species " brought in from other countries.

But as cats spread across District 11, they quickly became part of the cultural development of District 11, giving rise to various images and legends.

It feeds on corpses and can manipulate them like puppets, making them stand up and dance, following the walking cat demon Kassa...

A "nekomata" with two forked tails, a huge body, teeth like saws, and the ability to walk upright...

A "Cat-Man" that can kill its owner and replace their body...

During the day, he is a kabuki actor, artist, and comedian. At night, he is a "transformer cat" with a human head and a cat body. He throws sake and shamisen dishes to have a wild party, and then sneaks back home before dawn to transform back into a human form...

And, round face without mouth, pink and white cute, Hello Kitty...

To this day, people still believe in various superstitious beliefs without reason, such as "a black cat passing by represents bad luck", "a cat waving can bring good luck", and "cats cannot enter the funeral hall".

Therefore, Xia Fan thought it was ridiculous to occupy a Buddhist temple to worship cats at first, but it was very reasonable after thinking about it carefully.

"This temple is located in Tokyo. It has been through several wars and no one has worshipped the 'Cat Jizo' for a long time."

"The original furniture in the temple has long been stolen, and the legendary 'Cat Ksitigarbha' Buddha statue is also missing..."

"However, it seems that the 'divinity' of the land still exists, and there are no 'supernatural traces' within the torii."

The two walked side by side, along the stone path hidden under the weeds, all the way to the door of the Buddhist temple.

"Meow……"

Amid the rustling sound, a pair of round pupils shining with golden light flashed from the dark bushes...

Then, several figures with black spots, yellow spots and white hair ran by nimbly.

"wildcat?"

In District 11, the most common creatures are not rats, but crows and wild cats.

As an invasive species, wild cats maximize their reproductive capacity on islands without natural enemies, and their population is increasing day by day. According to incomplete official statistics, the number of pet cats is about 883 million, and the number of wild cats is conservatively estimated to be more than three times this number.

In order to maintain ecological balance, control the number of wild cats, and avoid affecting the number of birds and insects, the government of District 11 has even enacted special legislation to strictly prohibit the feeding of stray cats. It has also set up stray animal management centers in each district to be responsible for the sterilization and sheltering of stray cats.

"It makes sense that the temple that once enshrined the 'Cat Jizo' has now become a paradise for wild cats."

Xia Fan just glanced at the place where the wild cat disappeared, and his attention was focused on the building in front of him.

Just as Jinguji Aoi said, even the original doors and windows of this Buddhist temple had been removed, leaving only the empty door frames. The interior was so empty and clean that it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as "bare walls".

Without anything resembling a "divine body", he naturally had no way of exploring the story behind this Buddhist temple and the mysterious "Cat Ksitigarbha".

"This plot of land is in a good location, not far from Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, and I didn't sense anything unusual inside. It's the most suitable place I've seen today."

Xia Fan looked around and nodded with satisfaction.

Unlike other dilapidated shrines with a gloomy and sad atmosphere, this Buddhist temple, although a bit old, gives people a feeling of tranquility and peace.

"This place is indeed great, but there is an old urban legend circulating in the nearby residential areas that has not yet been confirmed by the Psychic Association."

"According to archival records from decades ago to the present, residents in the Nishi-Shinjuku area often witnessed unusual activities of cats at night, and some even witnessed a huge strange cat..."

"The authorities and the Psychic Association have also sent people to patrol the surrounding area several times, but nothing unusual was found. They can only treat it as an infestation of wild cats."

"Besides that, the Nishi-Shinjuku area is a hodgepodge of good and bad people, and the public security is not very good. Residents often report that food has been stolen from their homes, and even the stray animal management center often has animals stolen, but there have been no serious casualties..."

Jinguji Aoi quickly flipped through the documents and explained to Xia Fan in a low voice.

"The security issues like thieves and gangsters are even more serious in Ikebukuro Shopping Street, but I don't really care about them..."

"As for the land price, how much is it approximately?"

Xia Fan, who grew up in Ikebukuro, where the yakuza were rampant, shook his head indifferently and asked directly about the price.

"This place is west of Shinjuku, and the land area is not very large, so as long as you pay the 9 million house tax, you can buy it..."

"If Mr. Xia Fan likes this place, you can go through the formalities at any time."

Seeing that Xia Fan had made up his mind and thinking that today's "shrine trip" was not in vain, Jinguji Aoi narrowed her eyes into crescents.

"The price is quite attractive. Please wait a moment. I will contact President Saejima..."

Xia Fan took out his cell phone and flipped through the address book.

Although the land was introduced by the Psychic Association, a series of matters involving land purchase, loan, demolition of old house, design and construction of new house, etc., had to be entrusted to professionals like Saejima to provide "one-stop service".

"Ok?"

At some point, a chilly feeling enveloped the entire Buddhist temple, and the temperature in the room seemed to have dropped several degrees.

Being locked in the sight of some wild beast, Xia Fan raised his head as if sensing something...

(End of this chapter)