Niels was scheduled for a workshop in Yokosuka this evening, but before that Hiro drove us to Kamakura to see the famous Kencho-ji Zen temple and Shinto shrine in that area. The drive took about an hour or so.
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| A sakura tree in full bloom. |
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| Entrance to KENCHO-JI temple (SOMON, general gate) |
Kencho-ji is ranked the highest among 5 great Zen temples in Kamakura, and is the oldest monastery for Zen training in Japan. It was constructed in the 13th century during the Kencho Era, hence it's name.
The found of this temple was Rankei Doryu (Lan-hsi Tao-lung) a Chinese Zen master from the Sung Dynasty, who left China in 1246 to teach Zen in Japan. He was the first Zen priest to be conferred the title of "Daikaku Zenji" (Teacher of Great Realization) by the Emperor Gouda.
"If you have lost your true self,
all phenomena bring you nothing but annoyance.
If you discover your essence of mind,
you can follow nothing but the true path."
Kencho-ji originally comprised seven main buildings and 49 sub-temples, but most were destroyed in a series of fires during the 14th and 15th century. At present, the temple complex contains about 10 sub-temples and several main buildings.
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| SANMON (Main Gate) |
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| Admiring an ancient tree |
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| HATTO (Dharma Hall) All major public ceremonies are performed in this building which dates from 1814. It is the largest wooden Buddhist structure in Eastern Japan. |
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| Niels & I in front of KARAMON (Chinese Gate) This was originally located at Zojo-ji in Tokyo but was moved piece by piece to this present location in 1647. |
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| With Hsiao Ling |
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| BONSHO (Temple Bell) This bell, cast in 1255, bearing an inscription by the Founder, has been designated a National Treasure by the government of Japan. |
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| In deep contemplation.... ;) |
Next stop is the most important Shinto shrine in the Kamakura, Kanagawa prefecture ...Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu.
It's definitely a popular destination, observing from the number of people in this place. And very likely a popular spot for newly-weds to get their photos taken. We spotted one during our visit.
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| Japanese bridal couple |
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| Walking towards the main temple (in the background) |
A little bit about this place that I gleaned from the internet: This shrine was originally built in 1063 and dedicated to the Emperor Ojin, his mother Empress Jingu and his wife Hime-gami. The temple was moved to its present location in 1191 by the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsurugaoka_Hachiman-g%C5%AB)
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| On the left of the shrine's great stone stairway was a 1000-year old gingko tree which was uprooted in the early hours of March 10, 2010 by a storm. Efforts to revive the tree were unsuccessful.... |
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| The grand old gingko tree in all its splendour before its demise. |
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| Niels trying to get the attention of this pond's inhabitants. |
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| Here fishy, fishy....I don't have food for you but you can have a go at my finger..... :) |
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| Interesting booths lining the pathway to the main shrine. This one sells roasted gingko nuts. Fresh and dee-lee-cious! |
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| This one sells an assortment of colourful candies. So tempting....but nah ah....got to watch that waist. |
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| Another one selling strawberries sprinkled with sugar and stuck to a biscuit base with syrup. |
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| A traditional custom before entering a Shinto shrine: Wash ones hands and rinse ones mouth.. |
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| First the fish, now the pigeons.... lol! |
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| Sake barrels...lots of em! |
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| Stoned!... Too much sake... |
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| The stone stairway leading up to the shrine hall. |
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| Inside the shrine. |
