Places related to Kamakura-dono: Touring places related to Yoshitoki Hojo
It's been about two months since the NHK taiga drama ``13 People of Kamakura-dono'' began broadcasting. The current impression of the main character, Yoshitoki Hojo, is that he is youthful and does his best in everything he does. I am looking forward to seeing how he will become the second regent of the Kamakura shogunate through various twists and turns.
This time, we will introduce the places connected to the main character, Yoshitoki Hojo.
Spot 1 Yoshitoki Hojo Hokkedo Ruins (Yoshitoki Hojo’s Grave)
It is located northeast of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, about 20 minutes walk from Kamakura Station.
After climbing several dozen stone steps, you will come to a slightly open area. This is said to be the Hokke-do Hall ruins of Yoshitoki Hojo. Currently, only the territory remains, and no buildings are erected.
However, if you download the app on your smartphone, you can see the building from that time in AR. *You will need to download a special app.
There are also the graves of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Oe Hiromoto nearby, showing that Yoshitoki Hojo was considered one of the most powerful men of his time.
📍2-5 Nishimikado, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 2 Hokaiji Temple
It is located at the end of Yokooji in front of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, about 15 minutes walk from Kamakura Station.
It was built in 1335 on the site of the former residence of the Hojo regents, which was known as the Komachi residence. It is said that Emperor Go-Daigo ordered Takauji Ashikaga to build this to repose the souls of the Hojo clan.
General worshipers can also go up to the main hall (fee: 300 yen for adults, 200 yen for junior high school students, 100 yen for children) and view the main image of Jizo Bodhisattva. Hokai-ji Temple is also known as the ``Temple of Hagi,'' and the temple grounds are decorated with cherry blossoms in the spring, clovers in the fall, and other beautiful flowers throughout the year.
📍3-5-22 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 3 Gokurakuji Temple
Take the Enoden from Kamakura Station and walk 2 minutes from the 4th station, Gokurakuji Station.
It is said to have been built by Shigetoki Hojo, the third son of Yoshitoki Hojo. In place of Shigetoki, who passed away before it was completed, Shigetoki's sons, Nagatoki Hojo and Yoritoki Hojo, maintained the temple, and at its peak it was a large temple with 49 sub-temples, but due to fires and earthquakes, it was destroyed. It was burnt down and collapsed, and now only the main gate and main hall remain.
After passing through the thatched Sanmon Gate, the approach to the main hall is lined with Yoshino cherry trees, and in front of the main hall is a very rare cherry tree called ``Yae Ichie Sakiwake Sakura,'' which is said to have been hand-planted by Tokimune Hojo. Double cherry blossoms and single cherry blossoms bloom on the same branch. It entertains worshipers.
📍3-6-7 Gokurakuji, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 4 Futamata River/Tsurugamine Battlefield
Approximately 10 minutes walk from Tsurugamine Station on the Sotetsu Line.
The Futamata River and Tsurugamine Battlefield is the site of the battle between the army of Shigetada Hatakeyama, an influential retainer of Musashi Province (present-day Saitama Prefecture, Tokyo, and eastern Kanagawa Prefecture) and highly trusted by Minamoto no Yoritomo, and the Kamakura army led by Yoshitoki Hojo. there is. This war is said to have been the result of a strategy by Yoshitoki HOJO's father, Tokimasa, who wanted to strengthen control of Musashi Province, and Yoshitoki HOJO was against this war until the end. However, he ultimately led a large army and defeated Shigetada Hatakeyama. Currently, only that monument stands, but there are also several historical sites nearby, including Shigetada Hatakeyama's neck-washing well and neck mound.
In the early Kamakura period, when Minamoto no Yoritomo passed away, there were many power struggles between powerful retainers. This battle was one of the symbolic events of that power struggle, and after that, the Hojo clan would further strengthen its power.
📍1-1 Tsurugamine Honmachi, Asahi Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
There are many places connected to Yoshitoki Hojo, but we have introduced four that left an impression on us. There are various places where you can still feel the atmosphere of that time, and places where only traces remain, but if you visit the historical sites and think about the people of the time, you may discover something different than before. not.
Look forward to the next installment of “Places related to Kamakura-dono.”
*Please note that there are various theories regarding the contents of the column.
Also check past articles
Click here to tour the places related to Kamakura-dono.
