Places associated with the Kamakura Shogunate – A tour of places associated with Hojo Yoshitoki
It's been almost two months since the NHK Taiga drama "The 13 Lords of Kamakura" began airing. At this point, the main character, Hojo Yoshitoki, comes across as youthful and earnest in everything he does. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how he will overcome various twists and turns to become the second regent of the Kamakura shogunate.
This time, we'll introduce places associated with the main character, Hojo Yoshitoki.
Spot 1: Site of Hojo Yoshitoki's Hokke-do Hall (Tomb of Hojo Yoshitoki)
It's about a 20-minute walk from Kamakura Station, located northeast of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
After climbing several dozen stone steps, you'll reach a slightly open area. This is said to be the site of Hojo Yoshitoki's Hokke-do (Lotus Sutra Hall). Currently, only the layout remains, and no buildings or structures stand there.
However, by downloading an app to your smartphone, you can view the building as it was at the time using augmented reality (AR). *A dedicated app download is required.
Nearby are the tombs of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Oe no Hiromoto, suggesting that Hojo Yoshitoki was considered one of the most powerful figures at the time.
📍2-5 Nishimikado, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 2: Hokaiji Temple
It's about a 15-minute walk from Kamakura Station, located at the end of Yokoodori Street in front of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
It was built in 1335 on the site of the former residence of the Hojo regents, known as the Komachi Residence. It is said that Emperor Go-Daigo ordered Ashikaga Takauji to build it to appease the spirits of the Hojo clan.
Even ordinary visitors can enter the main hall (for a fee: 300 yen for adults, 200 yen for junior high school students, and 100 yen for children), and see the principal image, the Child-Rearing Sutra-Reading Jizo Bodhisattva. Furthermore, Hokaiji Temple is also known as the "Temple of Bush Clover," and in spring, cherry blossoms bloom, in autumn, bush clover, and other beautiful flowers adorn the temple grounds throughout the seasons.
📍 3-5-22 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 3: Gokurakuji Temple
Take the Enoden train from Kamakura Station, and it's a 2-minute walk from Gokurakuji Station, which is the fourth station.
It is said to have been built by Hojo Shigetoki, the third son of Hojo Yoshitoki. Shigetoki died before its completion, and his sons, Hojo Nagatoki and Hojo Naritoki, continued to develop the temple complex. At its peak, it was a large temple with 49 sub-temples, but it was destroyed by fire and earthquakes, and now only the main gate and the main hall remain.
After passing through the thatched gate, visitors are greeted by a path lined with Somei Yoshino cherry trees leading to the main hall. In front of the main hall stands a very rare cherry tree, said to have been planted by Hojo Tokimune, known as the "Yaehitoezaki-zakura," in which both double-flowered and single-flowered blossoms bloom on the same branch, delighting the worshippers.
📍 3-6-7 Gokurakuji, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 4: Futamatagawa/Tsurugamine Battlefield
It's about a 10-minute walk from Tsurugamine Station on the Sotetsu Line.
The Futamatagawa-Tsurugamine battlefield is the site of a battle between the army of Hatakeyama Shigetada, a powerful retainer of Musashi Province (present-day Saitama, Tokyo, and eastern Kanagawa prefectures) who enjoyed the deep trust of Minamoto no Yoritomo, and the Kamakura army led by Hojo Yoshitoki. This battle is said to have been a scheme orchestrated by Hojo Yoshitoki's father, Tokimasa, who wanted to strengthen his control over Musashi Province, and Hojo Yoshitoki opposed the battle until the very end. However, he ultimately led a large army and killed Hatakeyama Shigetada. Currently, only a monument stands there, but there are several other historical sites nearby, including a well where Hatakeyama Shigetada's head was washed and a burial mound for his head.
In the early Kamakura period, following the death of Minamoto no Yoritomo, numerous power struggles occurred among powerful samurai families. This battle was one of the symbolic events of these power struggles, and afterward, the Hojo clan would further strengthen their power.
📍1-1 Tsurugamine Honcho, Asahi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
There are many places associated with Hojo Yoshitoki, but I've introduced four spots that left a particularly strong impression on me. Some places still retain the atmosphere of that time, while others are reduced to mere remnants. However, by visiting these historical sites while reflecting on the people of that era, you might discover something new.
"Places associated with the Kamakura Shogun" - Stay tuned for the next installment!
*Please note that there are various theories regarding the content of the column described.
Check out past articles as well.
Click here to tour places associated with the Kamakura Shogunate.
