Engakuji (Kamakura Gozan #2)

September 30, 2015 by Brennan Duff in Temples

Number two of the Kamakura Gozan (refer to Kenchôji for explanation), it was founded in 1292 by Hôjô Tokimune, the 8th Regent Lord of Japan. It was constructed to commemorate all the loses, both Japanese and Mongol, in the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 9.

Engakuji is one of the most beautiful complexes I've been to. It's hidden up a small hill and embraced by great trees which keep it cool, shaded, and secluded from the rest of the world. The architecture is outstanding and the gardens are intimate and lush. A great place to go towards the end of the day with a setting sun's light filtering through tree leaves.

If you walk over, you’ll likely be a little tired, but after visiting the temple, walk down the road a litte further and there’s a train station and cafe which should help make things a little more comfortable for you.

Kenchôji (Kamakura Gozan #1)

September 30, 2015 by Brennan Duff in Temples

Kamakura is famous for two major things in Japanese history: the first warrior government and the first stronghold of Zen Buddhism. Kenchôji is the first of the Kamakura Gozan, the Five Zen Mountains of Buddhism in the city of Kamakura. As the first temple in Japan dedicated to Rinzai Zen practices, it holds a very important place in Japanese history and Buddhist culture. It was founded in 1253 by the fifth Regent Lord of Japan, Hôjô Tokiyori and led by head monk Lanxi Daolong from China. Because of this monumental significance in Zen history, the Ashikaga Shogunate of the 14th to 16th centuries founded the Gozan system to identify the top five most important Zen temples. Only Kamakura and Kyoto are home to their own five Gozan temples of Zen.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 10.

Kenchôji has something for everyone, but the fact that it was the first real temple to Zen Buddhism gives it a bit more of a push. The Kamakura period is my favorite time period in Japan so when I was there I was blown away at the thought that some of my favorite people in Japanese history walked the same paths as me, that we sat on some of the same mats, and prayed in the same halls. Kenchôji is a beautiful temple, but it lacks the level of lavishness which many other major complexes have. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful temple with exquisite woodwork.

Kôtoku-in (Pavilion of the Great Buddha)

September 30, 2015 by Brennan Duff in Temples

Many who have heard something about Japan have probably heard of the Great Buddha of Kamakura. This bronze Amida Buddha is the second largest metal Buddha in Japan, falling short of the Daibutsu in Tôdaiji in Nara (pun intended). However, even though this statue is among the most famous in Japan, it is seated outdoors due to the original structure being damaged by typhoons and a tsunami.

For the casual: 10. For the educated: 10.

Really, why would you not go to the Kamakura Daibutsu? Sure it can get crowded in the tourist season and it isn't a very good idea to go inside in summer (because Japanese summers are way too hot), but it is so worth every yen of the 20 needed to enter. And if the weather is right, spend 20 yen to go inside. That's right, 20 yen. Hey, did I mention it only costs 20 yen to enter? The walk from Hase Eki (Hase Station) is packed with fun little shops, and the store managers are some of the most charming people. Have fun and take lots of pictures trying to copy his pose!!!!

Sensôji

September 27, 2015 by Brennan Duff in Temples

Sensô-ji in the city of Asakusa is one of the largest and most famous temple complexes in the Tokyo area both as a historical site but also as a spiritual site. Also referred to as "Kinryû-san" or the Mountain of the Golden Dragon, Sensô-ji has been a spiritually important location in the Kanto plain even before the warrior governments who founded early Tokyo of later years would even exist. The story goes that in 618 two fishermen were fishing in the Sumidagawa River when they pulled up a wooden statue of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. After the local dignitary heard of this, he declared that it was a great omen and transformed his own house into the home of the sacred statue. Over the years, the temple received greater and greater patronage prompting the temple to grow from a single building to a complex with multiple halls and divine gates. It is said that in 645, renowned monk Shokai Shonin said that it would be best if the statue of Kannon was hidden from human view, and it has remained so ever since.

For casual visitors: 10. For educated visitors: 10.

Sensô-ji is a must see when visiting Tokyo. Though it caters heavily to tourists, there are still many many fun things to do there. Good restaurants are around every corner and one might even be able to spot the occasional Sumo wrestler getting food. Shopping in the area ranges from the most obvious of tourist souvenirs to some of the more glamorous items including yukata summer gowns, swords, fans, furoshiki decorative cloth for wrapping, and so much more. The Kaminarimon (Lighting Gate) is the first gate of the complex and houses the guardian deities Agyô and Ngyô in the form of Fûjin (Wind God) and Raijin (Lighting God). To the north of the temple visitors can roam through Tokyo's Geisha district, though don't be surprised if you don't catch a glimpse of them; they have many years of practice avoiding the sites of anxious tourists. East is Sumida Park, Tokyo Skytree Tower, and the Asahi Beer HQ. If visiting in early summer, try to go to the Sanja Matsuri which closes down the streets of Asakusa and gets filled with portable shrines, singers, dancers, and lots of game/food booths.

"Senso-ji | About Senso-ji." Senso-ji | About Senso-ji. Accessed September 28, 2015. http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html.