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A temple gate called Nitenmon is all that remains of a Tôshôgû that once stood within the grounds of Sensô-ji. Originally built in 1618, the Tôshôgû shrine was destroyed by fire in 1631 and 1642, but the gate survived intact. In the 19th century, a pair of 17th century statues from [[Kan'ei-ji]], depicting [[Jikokuten]] and [[Zochoten|Zôchôten]] were installed within the gate, giving the gate its new name, Nitenmon ("two dieties gate"). The Nitenmon was declared a [[National Treasure]] in 1946, but was downgraded to an [[Important Cultural Property]] in 1950.

A temple gate called Nitenmon is all that remains of a Tôshôgû that once stood within the grounds of Sensô-ji. Originally built in 1618, the Tôshôgû shrine was destroyed by fire in 1631 and 1642, but the gate survived intact. In the 19th century, a pair of 17th century statues from [[Kan'ei-ji]], depicting [[Jikokuten]] and [[Zochoten|Zôchôten]] were installed within the gate, giving the gate its new name, Nitenmon ("two dieties gate"). The Nitenmon was declared a [[National Treasure]] in 1946, but was downgraded to an [[Important Cultural Property]] in 1950.

The temple grounds also include a Bentendô ([[Benten]] Hall), known as ''rônyo Benzaiten'', or "old woman Benzaiten" for her white hair. It is counted as one of the Three Benten of the [[Kanto|Kantô region]], along with that of [[Enoshima]], and one located in Kashiwa city, in [[Chiba prefecture]]; it is said that this particular Benten statue was worshipped strongly by the [[Hojo clan|Hôjô clan]] of [[Odawara castle|Odawara]]. A bronze bell housed within the Bentendô dates to 1692, after being recast when earlier bells were destroyed. Measuring 2.12 meters tall and 1.52 meters in diameter, it served as the main bell announcing the time for the Asakusa district, taking its cues from the [[Hongakucho bell|Hongakuchô bell]]. The bell is immortalized in a [[haiku]] by [[Matsuo Basho|Matsuo Bashô]], and continues to be rung today, every morning at six o'clock, by one of the monks of Sensô-ji.

The temple grounds also include a Bentendô ([[Benten]] Hall), known as ''rônyo Benzaiten'', or "old woman Benzaiten" for her white hair. It is counted as one of the Three Benten of the [[Kanto|Kantô region]], along with that of [[Enoshima]], and one located in Kashiwa city, in [[Chiba prefecture]]; it is said that this particular Benten statue was worshipped strongly by the [[Hojo clan|Hôjô clan]] of [[Odawara castle|Odawara]]. A bronze bell housed within the Bentendô dates to 1692, after being recast when earlier bells were destroyed. Measuring 2.12 meters tall and 1.52 meters in diameter, it served as the main bell announcing the time for the Asakusa district, taking its cues from the [[Hongokucho bell|Hongokuchô bell]]. The bell is immortalized in a [[haiku]] by [[Matsuo Basho|Matsuo Bashô]], and continues to be rung today, every morning at six o'clock, by one of the monks of Sensô-ji.

Another small hall on the grounds is called the Kume-no-Heinai-dô. [[Kume no Heinai]] (d.c. 1683) was a samurai who lived at the temple, performing devotions and [[Zen]] meditation, praying for the souls of those he killed in swordfighting duels. It is said that before he died he asked his followers to carve a statue of him and bury it near one of the gates to the temple, so that countless people would step on it, helping to expiate the sins of his life. The statue was eventually recovered and enshrined within a hall on the temple grounds, where for some reason it came to be worshipped as a deity for a good marriage. The hall was destroyed in 1945, and rebuilt in 1978.

Another small hall on the grounds is called the Kume-no-Heinai-dô. [[Kume no Heinai]] (d.c. 1683) was a samurai who lived at the temple, performing devotions and [[Zen]] meditation, praying for the souls of those he killed in swordfighting duels. It is said that before he died he asked his followers to carve a statue of him and bury it near one of the gates to the temple, so that countless people would step on it, helping to expiate the sins of his life. The statue was eventually recovered and enshrined within a hall on the temple grounds, where for some reason it came to be worshipped as a deity for a good marriage. The hall was destroyed in 1945, and rebuilt in 1978.