鎌倉殿のゆかりの地をめぐる

Kanagawa Prefecture has many famous places and historical sites.
Some of the most notable locations include Yokohama in the east, a symbol of modernization in Japan, which was the first country to open a port during the Edo period when Japan was isolated, and later had its first railway line laid. In the central part is Kamakura, a thousand-year-old capital and the birthplace of samurai rule. In the west are Odawara, the base of the Hojo clan, who were renowned as the rulers of the Kanto region during the Sengoku period, and Hakone, a famous hot spring resort with a history dating back to the Nara period. There are many other famous places and historical sites throughout Kanagawa Prefecture. I was wondering where to begin introducing its charms, but since the 2022 NHK Taiga drama is "The 13 Lords of Kamakura," I will introduce some Kamakura tourist spots related to them.

Incidentally, as many of you may already know, "Kamakura-dono" refers to the shogun of the Kamakura shogunate.
In 1180, after defeating the Taira clan at the Battle of Fujikawa, Minamoto no Yoritomo established his base in Kamakura, a place associated with the Minamoto clan. He moved Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to its current location, established the Okura Palace where he resided, and the Samurai-dokoro, which oversaw military and police functions, and Yoritomo came to be known as "Kamakura-dono" (Lord of Kamakura).

Spot 1 : Yui Wakamiya (Moto-Hachiman Shrine)

The true connection between the Minamoto clan and Kamakura began with the establishment of this Hachiman shrine. Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, the ancestor of the Kawachi Minamoto clan, moved the Iwashimizu Hachiman shrine from Kyoto to this location in 1063 as a token of gratitude for his victory in the Former Nine Years' War. This is the Yuigahama Wakamiya shrine. It is said that the area in front of this shrine was once the coastline, but it is now a residential area and stands quietly.
⫯ 1-7 Zaimokuza, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 2: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
(Image: TokyoDayTrip Kanagawa Travel Info)
In 1180, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who was based in Kamakura, immediately visited Yuigahama Shrine and moved its shrine to Kitayama in Kobayashi-go, inland. This became the present-day Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a place that has been revered not only by the Minamoto clan but also as the guardian deity of the Bando warriors. It is also the place where Shizuka Gozen danced while thinking of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and the place where the third shogun, Minamoto no Sanetomo, was attacked by Kugyo, the orphaned son of the second shogun, Minamoto no Yoriie, thus ending the Minamoto shogunate. It is a place deeply intertwined with the history of Kamakura.
⫯ 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
*Speaking of Shizuka Gozen... Please also check out the performance "Shizuka, Love and Death" which was live-streamed on August 7, 2021!
Related page: Click here
Video: Click here

Spot 3: Wakamiya-oji (Dangatsura)

Wakamiya-oji is a straight avenue stretching from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to Yuigahama Beach. It was constructed in 1182 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, modeled after Kyoto's Suzaku-oji Avenue, and it is said that Yoritomo intended to build Kamakura around this avenue. The most distinctive feature of Wakamiya-oji is the raised stone staircase called Dankazura. It is said to have been built either to pray for the safe delivery of Yoritomo's pregnant wife, Hojo Masako, or to improve accessibility due to mud and water runoff from rain. Originally, it was a large-scale avenue stretching approximately 1300 meters from the entrance of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to the first torii gate. (Only about 480 meters remain today.)
⫯ Near 4 Onarimachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 4: Okura Imperial Palace (Okura Shogunate)
Upon entering Kamakura, Minamoto no Yoritomo established his residence in the Okura area and began to conduct his political affairs there. As a result, this area later came to be known as the Okura Palace (Okura Shogunate). It is said that Yoritomo's ancestor, Minamoto no Yoshiie, had once resided in this area, which may have been the reason Yoritomo built his palace here. A Samurai-dokoro (Board of Retainers) was also established here, with Wada Yoshimori, one of the thirteen, becoming its head, and the administration centered around this area began. The area surrounding the palace was guarded by the residences of powerful retainers such as Hatakeyama Shigetada, Miura Yoshimura (son of Miura Yoshizumi, one of the thirteen), and Wada Yoshimori.
⫯ 3-chome, Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 5 : Hokke-do Temple Ruins (Tomb of Minamoto no Yoritomo)

It is said that Minamoto no Yoritomo attended the completion ceremony of a bridge built over the Sagami River by his retainer Inage Shigenari as a memorial for his deceased wife, and fell from his horse at Inamuragasaki on his way back, which caused his death in January 1199 at the age of 53. The cause of his death is not recorded in the Azuma Kagami, and the details remain a mystery. The current tombstone was erected by Shimazu Shigehide during the Edo period. The site of the Hokke-do is designated as a historical site, and in addition to Yoritomo's tomb, the tomb of Hojo Yoshitoki, one of the thirteen followers, is also located in the same area.
⫯ 2-chome, Nishimikado, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

In addition to the places mentioned above, there are many other locations in Kanagawa Prefecture that are associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo, which I will introduce to you next time.