Visiting places related to the Kamakura Shogunate - Hojo Tokimasa and Kajiwara Kagetoki
This time, we will introduce places associated with Hojo Tokimasa, the father of the protagonist Hojo Yoshitoki, and Kajiwara Kagetoki, who was highly valued by Yoritomo and served as stable chief (the head or person in charge of managing the horses being raised) and samurai-dokoro no shoshi (the vice chief who assisted the chief).
Spot 1: Ishibashiyama Battlefield, a place associated with Hojo Tokimasa
Turning off National Route 135 and walking about 100 meters, you will come across a stone monument marking the "Ishibashiyama Battlefield" on a hill overlooking Sagami Bay. This is the place where Yoritomo fought against the forces of Oba Kagechika.
In response to Emperor Mochihito's order to pursue and destroy the Taira clan, Minamoto no Yoritomo raised an army in Nirayama, Izu, and after winning the first battle against the Yamaki clan, advanced to Yugawara in Sagami Province, where he faced off against the army of Oba Kagechika, leading to the Battle of Ishibashiyama.
The battle begins with a "war of words" between Hojo Tokimasa and Oba Kagechika. Hojo Tokimasa says, "Oba was supposed to have followed the Genji, so why are you drawing your bow on Minamoto no Yoritomo, the legitimate heir of the Genji?" Oba Kagechika responds, "Although we were once master and servant, the kindness of the Taira is immense, and I cannot betray him so easily." (Hojo Tokimasa has many memorable anecdotes, but I personally feel that this war of words was one of his greatest highlights.)
The battle then began, and Minamoto no Yoritomo's army of 300 fought bravely against the 3,000-man Oba army, but they were outnumbered and lost the battle, with vassals such as Hojo Tokimasa's eldest son, Hojo Munetoki, and Sanada Yoichi Yoshitada being killed in battle.
📍Ishibashi, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 2: Enoshima Iwaya, a place associated with Hojo Tokimasa
This cave is located at the innermost part of Enoshima and is said to be the place where Kobo Daishi and Nichiren Shonin practiced in ancient times.
It is said that Hojo Tokimasa retreated to this cave and prayed for the prosperity of his descendants. Then, a celestial maiden appeared before Tokimasa and told him, "Your clan will prosper as the rulers of Japan," before transforming into a giant snake and disappearing into the sea, leaving behind three scales. Tokimasa was so pleased with the prophecy that he used the scales as his family crest, and the famous Mitsuuroko crest of the Hojo clan was born.
📍Enoshima 2, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 3: Shitono Cave, a place associated with Kajiwara Kagetoki
Stone lanterns and stone Buddha statues line both sides of the steep, winding mountain path, and even during the day it is a quiet and deserted place. Shishido Cave is located at the bottom of the path.
There are several Buddha statues enshrined in the cave, and a thin waterfall flows from above, the sound of which echoes through the cave, making it a very mystical place.
After his defeat at the Battle of Ishibashiyama, Minamoto no Yoritomo fled with a small group of retinue and hid here at Shitono Cave. Ōba Kagechika's forces conducted a thorough search, and Kajiwara Kagetoki discovered Yoritomo and his men hiding in a cave. "This is it," said Yoritomo, about to commit suicide, but Kagetoki told him, "I'll help you, so when we win the battle, don't forget me," and let Yoritomo go. Ōba Kagechika, however, still suspected the cave and tried to enter it himself, but Kagetoki confronted him, saying, "Do you doubt me?" and Yoritomo narrowly escaped death.
The exact reason why Kagetoki spared Yoritomo is unknown, but there are various theories, such as "the Kajiwara clan served the Minamoto clan, so it was out of compassion," or "Kagetoki was impressed by Yoritomo's dignified appearance." Kagetoki would later be given more favor than Yoritomo, and this may have been because Yoritomo had not forgotten the kindness he received from him.
📍Blacksmith, Yugawara Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
Spot 4: Kenchoji Temple, a place associated with Kajiwara Kagetoki
If you head north along the Kamakura Highway from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in the center of Kamakura, you will come to Kenchoji Temple, the first of the Five Mountains of Kamakura and the head temple of the Kenchoji school of the Rinzai sect.
At Kenchoji Temple, a "Segakie" ceremony is held twice a year on July 15th. *Segakie is a ceremony to provide food and offer prayers to the spirits of the deceased who have fallen into the realm of hungry ghosts due to their misdeeds during their lifetime and are suffering from hunger and thirst.
One is the "Sanmon Segaki-e" and the other is the "Kajiwara Segaki-e" to mourn the spirit of Kajiwara Kagetoki. This took place on July 15th, shortly after Kenchoji Temple had opened, when a warrior appeared immediately after the usual "Segaki-e" had finished. When the warrior realized that the ceremony had already ended, he was very disappointed and tried to leave. However, Daikaku Zenji called the warrior to a stop and performed the Segaki-e again. The warrior expressed his gratitude, said, "I am the spirit of Kajiwara Kagetoki," and disappeared. Since then, the Kajiwara Segaki-e has been held separately from the Segaki-e at Kenchoji Temple.
📍Yamanouchi 8, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
This time, we introduced places associated with the first Kamakura Shogunate regent, Hojo Tokimasa, and his senior vassal, Kajiwara Kagetoki.What did you think?
Stay tuned for next time.
*Please note that there are various theories regarding the contents of this column.
Check out past articles
Touring places associated with the Kamakura Shogun
A place associated with Hojo Yoshitoki
