Houzoumon(Niomon)
As you progress through Nakamise, you will see Houzoumon. The vermilion-colored Sakuramon is the same as Kaminarimon, ...
and it is said that Kinmasa Taira donated in 942 as a thank-you for fulfilling the prayer. Originally called Niomon because the Nio statues are enshrined on both sides of the gate. However, after repeated disappearance, the building was reinforced concrete in 1964 and rebuilt as a tiled roof. It also came to be called Houzoumon because it also serves as a storehouse of traditional scriptures and temple treasures. The lantern at Houzoumon is about 3.75m in height and 2.7m in width. It weighs about 450kg and is slightly smaller than Kaminarimon. It is a symbol of Houzoumon with a copper hanging lantern hung on the left and right. During the Edo period, many worshipers visited as shrines and temples of the common people. It is said that it was allowed to climb on the roof during the New Year's Day, Nirvana Society, Buddhist Society, Urabon-e, and Spring / Autumn seven days, so it was a popular spot in the capital city. Looking back after passing through the gate, you can see large shoes called O-waraji. O-waraji are 4.5m high, 1.5m wide, 500kg in weight, and use 2500kg of straw, and about 800 people make it over a month. The dedication of O-waraji was first given in 1941 by Shunzo Matsuoka from Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, as a symbol of protection. When the Houzoumon was restored, the statue of Nio was carved by Hisashi Muraoka, a sculptor from Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, so he offered his second dedication, and has since changed once every 10 years. There is a so-called fear that if something with such a large foot protects Sensoji Temple, and it is said that there is a benefit to good legs and no illness
