Kamakura-gû is actually a fairly new shrine being founded in 1869 following the Meiji Restoration, when the Emperor of Japan regained political power for the first major period since the Heian period which ended in the late 12th century. Kamakura-gû is dedicated to the Imperial Prince Morinaga who fought in 1333 in the siege of Kamakura by the forces of Emperor Go Daigo. Morinaga however was killed by his own men in the confusion of battle and became a tragic tale of the Imperial family. Kamakura-gû is known for two figurines that ward off evil: a red wooden head of a lion and a simple white statue of a samurai.

For the casual: 6. For the educated: 7.

As a fan of the Kamakura bakufu ("tent" government) and a dislike of Emperor Go Daigo who ended it, I laughed at the stories of Morinaga. I know it's very dark to think such things, but I can't help but think that there could have been a different scenario that led to his death besides "being killed in the confusion". Either way, the shrine is a cool place to visit. Off the beaten path from much of Kamakura, Kamakura-gû is a quaint little shrine with lots of beautiful bamboo, trees, and flowering plants. Kamakura-gû is the only place where I saw a good luck practice of smashing small ceramic cups against stone; it was so much fun because it's not everyday you get to break things for luck.