Tokyo is home to a spooky well known as Sugatami no Ido (literally, “The Mirror Well”). Legend has it that if you see your reflection in the water, you still have a long life ahead. If you don’t, your days are numbered.
Chomeiji: Koyasan of the East
The well is located in Nerima Ward, in a temple called Chomeiji. As if alluding to the well, the kanji for the temple’s name also happens to mean “longevity.” Chomeiji dates back to 1613 and is affiliated with Koyasan, the beautiful Buddhist temple named after Mt.Koya. Since the Edo period, Chomeiji has been referred to as the “Koyasan of the East.” In fact, a portion of the temple is fashioned after Okunoin, the mausoleum in Koyasan where 20,000 monks are buried.
The Spooky Well
When you enter Chomeiji, the first thing you notice is the awe-inspiring architecture and the imposing statues. In contrast, the well is not as conspicuous and does not draw much attention. It’s only when you explore the temple grounds further that you find it among stone graves.
Semi-enclosed in a stone fence, the well comes with a sign stating its name and a brief explanation. In the summer, the moss that covers the well makes it even more intriguing. It glistens under the rain and gives it a luminous look. As you approach, you’ll find that the well is covered in metal grills, perhaps to prevent people from falling in as they look.
So how does the well divine your life span? They say that if you peer into the well and see your reflection clearly, you have a long life ahead of you. If you see a blurred image, then not as much. If you don’t see your reflection at all, then it’s curtains for you.
Given such background, would you dare take a look? In my case, I didn’t. Some things are better off unknown. Besides, I wouldn’t know where to start if it foretold an unpleasant future.
It’s also worth noting that a well with a similar name also exists in Koyasan. It isn’t known which is older or which was known for its divining powers first. Either way, you can check out whichever is closer to you.
Chomeiji Video
How to Get to Chomeiji
Chomeiji (長命寺)
5-minute walk from Chokoji-bashi Bus Stop
9-minute walk from Shakuji-koen Station, Seibu Ikebukuro Line
