Places associated with the Kamakura Shogunate – A tour of places associated with 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 favored by Yoritomo and served as the stable manager (the chief in charge of managing the horses) and the head of the Samurai-dokoro (the vice-officer who assisted the stable manager).

Spot 1: A place associated with Hojo Tokimasa: Ishibashiyama Battlefield
Turning off National Route 135 onto a side road and proceeding about 100 meters, you will come across a stone monument marking the "Ishibashiyama Ancient Battlefield" on a hill overlooking Sagami Bay. This is the place where Yoritomo fought against the forces of Oba Kagechika.

In response to Prince Mochihito's decree to overthrow the Taira clan, Minamoto no Yoritomo raised an army in Nirayama in Izu, won his first battle against the Yamaki clan, and then advanced to Yugawara in Sagami Province, where he confronted the forces of Oba Kagechika and faced off in the Battle of Ishibashiyama.

This battle begins with a "battle of words" between Hojo Tokimasa and Oba Kagechika. The exchange reportedly went something like this: Hojo Tokimasa argued, "Oba, you were supposed to be loyal to the Minamoto clan, so why are you raising your bow against Minamoto no Yoritomo, the legitimate heir of the Minamoto?" to which Oba Kagechika replied, "Although we were once master and servant, the debt of gratitude I owe to the Taira clan is immense, and I cannot easily betray them." (While Hojo Tokimasa has many memorable anecdotes, I personally feel this battle of words is one of his greatest moments.)

Then the battle began, and Minamoto no Yoritomo's army of 300 fought bravely against Oba's army of 3,000, but they were outnumbered and defeated, losing several retainers, including Hojo Munetoki, the eldest son of Hojo Tokimasa, and Sanada Yoichi Yoshitada.
📍Ishibashi, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 2: A place associated with Hojo Tokimasa: Enoshima Iwaya Cave
This cave is located in the innermost part of Enoshima Island and is said to be a place where Kobo Daishi and Nichiren Shonin practiced asceticism in ancient times.

It is said that Hojo Tokimasa secluded himself in this cave and prayed for the prosperity of his descendants. Then, a celestial maiden appeared before Tokimasa and told him that "your family will prosper as rulers of Japan," before transforming into a giant snake and disappearing into the sea, leaving behind three scales. Tokimasa was overjoyed by the prophecy and adopted these scales as his family crest, giving rise to the famous Hojo clan's three-scale crest.
📍Enoshima 2, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 3: A place associated with Kajiwara Kagetoki: Shitodo Cave
Stone lanterns and stone Buddha statues line both sides of the winding, steep mountain path, and even during the day there are no people around. It is a quiet place, and at the bottom of the path lies Shishido Cave.

The cave houses several Buddha statues, and a thin waterfall flows from above, creating a mystical atmosphere with the sound of the water echoing throughout the cave.

This "Shitodo Cave" is the place where Minamoto no Yoritomo, defeated in the Battle of Ishibashiyama, fled with a small retinue and hid. The Oba Kagechika army conducted a thorough search and Kajiwara Kagetoki discovered Yoritomo and his group hiding in the cave. Yoritomo, thinking "It's all over now," was about to commit suicide, but Kagetoki told him, "I will save you, so please don't forget about me when you win the battle," and surprisingly let Yoritomo go. However, Oba Kagechika still suspected the cave was suspicious and tried to enter it himself, but Kagetoki pressed him, saying, "Do you doubt me?", and Yoritomo narrowly escaped death.
The exact reason why Kagetoki spared Yoritomo is unclear, but there are various theories, such as "it was out of compassion because Kajiwara served the Minamoto clan" or "he was impressed by Yoritomo's dignified appearance." Later, Kagetoki would be highly favored by Yoritomo, and it's possible that Yoritomo hadn't forgotten this favor.
📍Kajiya, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture

Spot 4: Kenchoji Temple, a place associated with Kajiwara Kagetoki.
If you head north along the Kamakura Road from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, the heart of Kamakura, you will find Kenchoji Temple, the first of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura and the head temple of the Kenchoji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.

At Kencho-ji Temple, the "Segaki-e" ceremony is held twice every year on July 15th. *The Segaki-e ceremony is a ritual in which food is offered to the spirits of the dead who have fallen into the realm of hungry ghosts and are suffering from hunger and thirst due to evil deeds committed during their lives.
One is the "Sanmon Segaki-e" and the other is the "Kajiwara Segaki-e" to mourn the ghost of Kajiwara Kagetoki. It is said that on July 15th, shortly after Kencho-ji Temple was founded, a warrior appeared immediately after the usual "Segaki-e" had finished. When the warrior learned that the ceremony was over, he was very disappointed and tried to leave. However, Zen Master Daikaku called out to the warrior and performed the Segaki-e again for him. The warrior expressed his gratitude and said, "I am the spirit of Kajiwara Kagetoki," before disappearing. Since then, the Kajiwara Segaki-e has been held separately from the regular Segaki-e at Kencho-ji Temple.
📍8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

This time, we introduced places associated with Hojo Tokimasa, the first regent of the Kamakura Shogunate, and his senior retainer Kajiwara Kagetoki. What did you think?
Stay tuned for the next episode!

*Please note that there are various theories regarding the content of the column described.

Check out past articles as well.
A tour of places associated with the Kamakura Shogun
Places associated with Hojo Yoshitoki