Touring the places associated with Kamakura-dono

Kanagawa Prefecture has many famous places and historic sites.
In the eastern part of Japan, which was closed to the rest of the world at the end of the Edo period, Yokohama was the first to open a port and the earliest to build a railroad. In the central part of Japan, Kamakura, the ancient capital of 1000 years ago, was the birthplace of the samurai government. To the west is Odawara, the home of the Hojo clan, who made a name for themselves as the champion of the Kanto region during the Warring States period. In addition to this, there are many famous places and historic sites in Kanagawa Prefecture. I was at a loss as to where to start introducing their charms, but since the 2020 NHK Taiga drama "Kamakura-dono 13", I would like to introduce you to Kamakura's sightseeing spots related to them.

By the way, as many of you may know, “Kamakura-dono” is the shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate.
Minamoto no Yoritomo, who defeated the Heike army at the Battle of Fujikawa in 1180, established his base in Kamakura, a place associated with the Genji clan. Yoritomo moved Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to its current location, established the Okura Imperial Palace where he resided, and established the 'Samurai Office' to control military and police functions, and Yoritomo came to be called 'Kamakura Dono.'

Spot 1 Yui Wakamiya (Motoyawata)

The full-fledged connection between Genji and Kamakura begins with the construction of this Hachiman. In 1063, Yoriyoshi Minamoto, the ancestor of the Kawachi-Genji clan, transferred Iwashimizu Hachiman in Kyoto to this place as a token of gratitude for his victory in the previous Nine Years War. This is Yui Wakamiya. It is said that at that time, the area in front of Yawata was the coastline, but now it is a residential area and stands quietly.
⫯ 1-7 Zaimokuza, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 2 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
(Image from TokyoDayTrip Kanagawa Travel Info)
In 1180, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who was based in Kamakura, immediately made a pilgrimage to Yui Hachiman and moved his palace to Kitayama, Kobayashigo, inland. This became the current Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a place where not only the Genji but also the Bando warriors are worshiped as a guardian deity, and it is also the place where Shizuka Gozen danced in memory of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and the third shogun Minamoto no Sanetomo is a memento of the second shogun Minamoto Yoriie. It is also the place where the Genji shogun died out, and is a spot deeply connected with the history of Kamakura.
⫯ 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
*Speaking of Shizuka Gozen, please be sure to check out the performance "Shizuka, Love and Death" that was live-streamed on August 7, 2021!
Related page: here
Video: here

Spot 3Wakamiya Oji (Dangatsu)

Wakamiya Oji stretches straight from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to Yuigahama, and was created in 1182 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, referring to Kyoto's Suzaku Oji, and it is said that Yoritomo intended to build Kamakura around Wakamiya Oji I'm here. The most distinctive feature of Wakamiya Oji is the raised stone steps called dankazura. It is said that it was built to pray for the safe delivery of Yoritomo's wife, Masako Hojo, who was pregnant at the time. . At that time, it was a large-scale one that stretched for about 1,300 meters from the shrine head of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu to the first torii. (The existing one is about 480 meters.)
⫯ Near 4 Onarimachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 4 Okura Imperial Palace (Okura Shogunate)
After entering Kamakura, Minamoto no Yoritomo set up a residence in Okura, where he began to administer government affairs. For this reason, this area later came to be called the Okura Imperial Palace (Okura Shogunate). Minamoto no Yoshiie, the ancestor of Yoritomo, used to live in this area, which is said to be the reason why Yoritomo built the Imperial Palace here. A samurai office was also established in this area, and Yoshimori Wada, one of the thirteen members, became a betto (chief) and began to rule around this area. Around the Imperial Palace, there were mansions of influential vassals such as Shigetada HATAKEYAMA, Yoshimura MIURA (son of Yoshizumi MIURA, one of the thirteen), and Yoshimori WADA, and they were in charge of defense.
⫯ Yukinoshita 3-chome, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot5Hokkedo Ruins (Grave of Minamoto no Yoritomo)

Minamoto no Yoritomo participated in the completion ceremony of a bridge built over the Sagami River by his retainer, Shigenari Inage, as a memorial service for his late wife. said to have died. The cause of death is not recorded in the Azuma Kagami, and the details are a mystery. The current grave marker was erected by Shigehide Shimazu in the Edo period. The site of Hokkedo is designated as a historic site, and in addition to the grave of Yoritomo, the grave of Hojo Yoshitoki, one of the 13 people, is also located in the same area.
⫯ 2-chome Nishimikado, Kamakura City, Kanagawa

In addition to the places introduced above, there are many places in Kanagawa Prefecture that are related to Minamoto no Yoritomo, so I will introduce them next time.