Zeni・arai-benten Shrine in Kamakura

Zeni・arai-benten Shrine was founded by Yoritomo Minamoto, the founder of the Kamakura government. This is the entrance of Zeni・arai-benten Shrine

Outline of Zeni・arai-benten Shrine in English

To reach the shrine we go through the tunnel

Then go through the gates

In the cave people are washing the coins.

I will to be a billonaire!?

 

Nichiren's Grotto and Well

This display shows the direction for Nichiren's grotto and a well he used for an Indian ink.

Nichiren(1222-1282) was a Buddhist priest who was born in Chiba Prefecture. After spending ten years and more in Kyoto, Nichiren came to Kamakura in 1254. It is said that he used this grotto as his temporary dwelling which is close to Ankokuron-ji Temple Nichiren used this well to make an Indian ink and wrote his sermon.

Nichiren was an influential Buddhist priest in Kamakura so there are many temples which belong to Nichiren-sect Buddhism.

Written and posted Mitsutoshi Masunari.

 

Yugyo-ji Temple in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Japan

Shojoko-ji Temple aka Yugyo-ji Temple is the main temple of the Jishu-sect of Buddhism. It was built in 1353 here in Fujisawa-city of Kanagawa Prefecture. Fujisawa is situated to the west of Kamakura and to the south-west of Yokohama.
Since the foundation of Yugyu-ji Temple the city developed as a temple towm.

This is the main hall of Yugyo-ji Temple.

A statue of Ippen(1239-1289), the founder of the Jishu-sect of Buddhism.

The oldest of all the structures in the precinct of Yugyo-ji Temple. It is called Chujakumon which means a gate with metal fittings of brass.

When I visited this temple in early March, peach blossoms were in full bloom.

A pond of killifish.

Because of its location this temple is famous and always seen by TV-viewers of Hakone-ekiden, the long distance relay road race between Tokyo and Hakone.

Kanazawa-bunko Museum and the exhibition of Unkei

Kanazawa-bunko Museum I went to Kanazawa-bunko Museum to see the special exhibition of Unkei(1151-1223), a well known sculptor in the late Heian and the early Kamakura era.

Among the sculptueres exhibited in the museum this time, the above is the only real national treasure 'Dainichi Buddha' which has been possessed by Enjo-ji Temple in Nara.

This is a wooden sculpture by Unkei which was designated as an important cultural property three years ago ' Daii-tokumyou King'.

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Sanetoki Hojo

Sanetoki Hojo was a grandson of Yoshitoki Hojo who was the second regent of the Kamakura government. He established Kanazawa-bunko Museum where he collected many precious documents. He also built Shomyo-ji Temple which stands next door to the museum.

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Shomyo-ji Temple

The main hall of Shomyo-ji Temple

A beautiful picture of the bridge and its reflexion on the pond.

You can enjoy eight murals in the tunnel between the museum and the temple.

Kanazawa-bunko Museum and Shomyo-ji Temple are in Kanazawa-ward of Yokohama-city