鎌倉殿のゆかりの地をめぐる

Kanagawa Prefecture has many famous places and historical sites.
Among the main attractions, the eastern part of Kanagawa Prefecture is Yokohama, a symbol of modernization and enlightenment, as it was the first port to open in Japan during the country's isolationist period at the end of the Edo period, and the first railway to be laid thereafter. In the central part of the prefecture is Kamakura, a 1,000-year-old ancient capital and the birthplace of samurai rule. In the west is Odawara, the home base of the Hojo clan, who ruled the Kanto region during the Sengoku period, and Hakone, a famous hot spring resort with a history dating back to the Nara period. In addition to these, Kanagawa Prefecture is home to many other famous places and historic sites. I was wondering where to start introducing their attractions, but as the NHK Taiga drama for 2022 is "The 13 Lords of the Kamakura," I'd like to introduce some tourist spots in Kamakura related to them.

By the way, as many of you may know, "Kamakuradono" refers to the shogun of the Kamakura shogunate.
After defeating the Taira army at the Battle of Fujigawa in 1180, 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 his own residence, the Okura Imperial Palace, and the Samurai-dokoro, which oversaw military and police functions, and came to be known as the "Kamakura Lord."

Spot 1 Yui Wakamiya (Moto-Yawata)

The true relationship between the Genji and Kamakura began with the construction of this Hachiman shrine. In 1063, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, the ancestor of the Kawachi Genji clan, moved Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine in Kyoto to this location as a token of gratitude for his victory in the Battle of Zenkunen. This is Yui Wakamiya Shrine. It is said that at the time, the area in front of this Hachiman shrine was 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 made a pilgrimage to Yui Hachiman and moved the shrine inland to Kitayama in Kobayashi-go. This became the current Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a place that was revered not only by the Minamoto clan but also as the guardian deity of the warriors of the Kanto region. It is also the place where Shizuka Gozen danced in memory of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and where the third shogun, Minamoto no Sanetomo, was attacked by Kugyo, the son of the second shogun, Minamoto no Yoriie, ending the Minamoto shogun dynasty, making it a spot deeply connected to 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 7th, 2021!
Related page: here
Video: here

Spot 3Wakamiya Oji (Dankazura)

Wakamiya Oji runs in a straight line from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to Yuigahama Beach. It was constructed in 1182 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, who used Suzaku Oji in Kyoto as a model, and it is said that Yoritomo intended to use Wakamiya Oji as the center for the construction of Kamakura. The most distinctive feature of Wakamiya Oji is the walkway called Dankazu, which is raised by one stone step. Some say it was built to pray for an easy delivery for Hojo Masako, Yoritomo's wife who was pregnant at the time, while others say it was built to improve convenience as mud and water would wash in during rain and other events, making it difficult to walk. At the time, it was a large-scale walkway stretching approximately 1,300 meters from the front of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to the first torii gate. (Only about 480 meters remain today.)
⫯ Near Onarimachi 4, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 4: Okura Imperial Palace (Okura Shogunate)
When Minamoto no Yoritomo entered Kamakura, he established his residence in Okura and conducted government affairs there. As a result, this area would later be called the Okura Imperial Palace (Okura Shogunate). Yoritomo's ancestor, Minamoto no Yoshiie, had once lived here, which is said to be the reason why Yoritomo built his Imperial Palace here. A samurai office was also established here, and Wada Yoshimori, one of the Thirteen, became its betto (chief governor), and rule began centered around this area. The Imperial Palace was surrounded by the residences of powerful vassals, including Hatakeyama Shigetada, Miura Yoshimura (son of Miura Yoshizumi, one of the Thirteen), and Wada Yoshimori, who provided defense.
⫯ Yukinoshita 3-chome, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 5 : Hokkedo ruins (the grave of Minamoto no Yoritomo)

Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have died in January 1199 at the age of 53 after attending the inauguration ceremony for a bridge built over the Sagami River by his vassal, Inage Shigenari, as a memorial for his late wife. He fell off his horse at Inamuragasaki on his way back, which is said to have been the cause of his death. The cause of his death is not recorded in the Azuma Kagami, and the details remain a mystery. The current grave marker was erected by Shimazu Shigehide during the Edo period. The ruins of the Hokkedo Hall are designated as a historic site, and in addition to Yoritomo's grave, the grave of Hojo Yoshitoki, one of the Thirteen, also lies in the same area.
⫯ Nishimikado 2-chome, Kamakura City, Kanagawa

In addition to the places introduced above, there are many other places in Kanagawa Prefecture that are associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo, so we will introduce them again next time.