Touring the places associated with Kamakura-dono
Kanagawa Prefecture has many famous places and historic sites.
The main area is Yokohama, which can be said to be a symbol of civilization and enlightenment in the eastern part of Japan, which was the first to open a port and the first to build a railway after that, in Japan, which was isolated from the rest of the country at the end of the Edo period. In the central region is the 1000-year-old capital of Kamakura, the birthplace of samurai politics. To the west is Odawara, the home of the Hojo clan, who rose to prominence as the rulers of the Kanto region during the Sengoku period, and Hakone, a famous hot spring with a history dating back to the Nara period. In addition to these, there are many other famous places and historic sites within Kanagawa Prefecture. I wasn't sure where to start introducing their charms, but since the 2020 NHK Taiga drama is "13 People of Kamakura-dono," I would like to introduce the sightseeing spots in Kamakura related to them.
By the way, as many of you may know, ``Kamakura-dono'' refers to the general of the Kamakura Shogunate.
After defeating the Heike army at the Battle of Fujikawa in 1180, Minamoto no Yoritomo established his base in Kamakura, a place connected to the Genji clan. Yoritomo moved Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to its current location and established the Okura Imperial Palace, where he lived, and the ``Samurai-dokoro,'' which was responsible for military and police functions, and became known as ``Kamakura-dono.''
Spot 1 Yui Wakamiya (Motoyawata)
The genuine connection between the Genji clan and Kamakura began with the establishment of Yahata. Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, the founder of the Kawachi-Genji clan, moved Iwashimizu Hachiman in Kyoto to this location in 1063 as a token of gratitude for his victory in the War of Nine Years. This is Yui Wakamiya. It is said that at that time the front of Yawata was a coastline, but now it is 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 paid a visit to Yui Hachiman and moved the shrine inland to Kitayama, Kobayashi-go. This became the current Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a place where not only the Minamoto clan but also the Bando warriors were revered as the guardian deity, and it is also the place where Shizuka Gozen thought of Minamoto no Yoshitsune and danced there, and where the third shogun Minamoto no Sanetomo held the Kogyo shrine, which was a forgotten memento of the second shogun Minamoto no Yoriie. It is also the place where the Genji shogun died due to the attack, and is a spot deeply connected to the history of Kamakura.
⫯ 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
*Speaking of Shizuka Gozen...please check out the performance "Shizuka, Love and Death" that was live streamed on August 7, 2021!
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Video: here
Spot 3 Wakamiya Oji (Dankatsu)
Wakamiya-oji runs in a straight line from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to Yuigahama Beach, and was created in 1182 by Minamoto no Yoritomo with reference to Kyoto's Suzaku-oji, and it is said that Yoritomo intended to build Kamakura around Wakamiya-oji. I am. The most distinctive feature of Wakamiya Oji is the passageway, which is raised by one level of stone steps called Dankatsu. 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, and it is also said that it was built to improve the convenience of walking, as it was difficult to walk due to rain and mud and water flowing in. . At that time, it was a large-scale structure that spanned approximately 1,300 meters from the head of the shrine to the first torii gate of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. (The existing length is about 480 meters.)
⫯ Near 4 Onaricho, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 4 Okura Imperial Palace (Okura Shogunate)
Minamoto no Yoritomo, who entered Kamakura, settled in Okura and began conducting political affairs here. As a result, this area later came to be called Okura Gosho (Okura Shogunate). Yoritomo's ancestor, Minamoto no Yoshiie, once lived in this area, and it is said that this was the reason why Yoritomo built his imperial palace here. A samurai office was also established in this area, and Yoshimori Wada, one of the 13 people, became Betto (chief), and government centered on this area began. The palace was surrounded by the mansions of influential retainers such as Shigetada Hatakeyama, Yoshimura Miura (son of Yoshizumi Miura, one of the Thirteen), and Yoshimori Wada, who were in charge of defense.
⫯ 3-chome Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 5 Hokke-do Ruins (Tomb of Minamoto no Yoritomo)
Minamoto no Yoritomo participated in the inauguration ceremony of a bridge built over the Sagami River by his retainer Shigenari Inage as a memorial service for his late wife, and on his way back he fell from his horse at Inamuragasaki, which caused him to die in January 1199 at the age of 53. It is said that he died. The cause of death is not listed in Azuma Kagami, and the details are considered to be a mystery. The current grave marker was erected by Shigego Shimazu during the Edo period. The Hokke-do ruins are designated as a historic site, and in addition to Yoritomo's grave, the grave of Hojo Yoshitoki, one of the Thirteen Men, also exists in the same area.
⫯ 2-chome Nishimikado, Kamakura City, Kanagawa
In addition to the places introduced above, there are many other places in Kanagawa Prefecture that are connected to Minamoto no Yoritomo, so we will introduce them next time.
*Please note that there are various theories regarding the contents of the column.
"Related information"
Special page set up by Kanagawa Prefecture
