Kamakura
Kamakura - The home of temples, and one very big Buddha!
Yesterday we went to Kamakura, which is a short trip about 30 minutes south of Yokohama (an hour from Tokyo). Kamakura used to be the capital of Japan in the 12th century, when the shogun took power. It has a number of important Shinto shrines and Buddhist sites, as well as, Russ notes, the “soft ice cream pilgrimage trail.” There were lots of school groups on the day we visited, all of whom seemed to have soft ice cream cones.
Our first stop was Tsurugaokahaachimingu, a shrine dedicated to the Shinto god of war. This didn’t stop a couple from having their wedding there at the time we visited (picture #1).
The second picture shows Russ and Laurea following the shrine protocol: wash your right hand with your left, wash your left hand with your right, then wash your mouth. (There’s more afterwards, of course, but this starts things off nicely for you.)
Next was the Daibutsu, a giant Buddha set in the middle of trees. Apparently, there used to be a house over the Buddha, but it was washed away in a tidal wave. We thought it was even more striking in the open air, as most Buddhas we have seen are in dark temples.
Our last stop was Hase Kannon Temple, a temple for Kannon, the goddess of mercy, represented by a giant statue made of camphor wood. Hasedera was home to lovely gardens (picture #4), a book wheel (turn this and you will absorb all the knowledge of the books housed there – picture #5), a cave with smaller shrines, offerings to Jizo, the guardian of children, and views of the sea. A very interesting place to visit. (EMU/UM students would like the book wheel idea, I’m sure!)
There are many other temples and shrines in Kamakura, but as we were with Laurea, we called it a day after a delicious tofu and soba noodle lunch.
Our first stop was Tsurugaokahaachimingu, a shrine dedicated to the Shinto god of war. This didn’t stop a couple from having their wedding there at the time we visited (picture #1).
The second picture shows Russ and Laurea following the shrine protocol: wash your right hand with your left, wash your left hand with your right, then wash your mouth. (There’s more afterwards, of course, but this starts things off nicely for you.)
Next was the Daibutsu, a giant Buddha set in the middle of trees. Apparently, there used to be a house over the Buddha, but it was washed away in a tidal wave. We thought it was even more striking in the open air, as most Buddhas we have seen are in dark temples.
Our last stop was Hase Kannon Temple, a temple for Kannon, the goddess of mercy, represented by a giant statue made of camphor wood. Hasedera was home to lovely gardens (picture #4), a book wheel (turn this and you will absorb all the knowledge of the books housed there – picture #5), a cave with smaller shrines, offerings to Jizo, the guardian of children, and views of the sea. A very interesting place to visit. (EMU/UM students would like the book wheel idea, I’m sure!)
There are many other temples and shrines in Kamakura, but as we were with Laurea, we called it a day after a delicious tofu and soba noodle lunch.
posted by Russ Olwell at 7:30 PM
<< Home