Places associated with the Kamakura Shogunate - Extra Edition

Although not listed among the 13 members of the council, there are many people who contributed to the subjugation of the Taira clan and the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate. This time, as a special edition, we will focus on people other than the 13 and introduce places in Kanagawa Prefecture associated with them.

The first person is Doi Sanehira.
When Yoritomo, who had raised an army to defeat the Taira clan, was defeated in the Battle of Ishibashiyama, it was Doi Sanehira who came to his aid. His loyalty earned him the trust of Minamoto no Yoritomo, and during the subjugation of the Taira clan he was appointed magistrate of the Kamakura army and guardian of the three provinces of Kibi, Nagato, and Suo. He is said to have died in November 1191 (there are various theories), but if he had survived, he may have participated as one of the 13 elders.

Spot 1: Joganji Temple

It is located about 500 meters up the mountain north of Yugawara Station. Its origins date back to when Doi Sanehira built a Buddhist altar in the hope of ensuring the long-lasting prosperity of his family. The current sect is the Soto sect (though it has converted several times in the past), but the temple's deep connection to the Toi clan is evident through the statues of father and son Doi Sanehira and Toohira, the Shichikido Hall, which houses statues of seven horsemen commemorating Doi Sanehira's achievements in setting sail from the coast of Manazuru in Toi's domain to Awa with only seven horsemen (the "Seven Horsemen") after the defeat at Ishibashiyama, and later supporting the establishment of a military government, and the graves of the Toi clan.

Shichikido

A 900-year-old Byakushin tree (designated a natural monument by the Ministry of Education)

Joganji Temple 📍252 Shirobori, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 259-0305

Spot 2 Gosho Shrine

Gosho Shrine
The shrine is located about 1 kilometer southwest of Yugawara Station. Founded during the reign of Emperor Tenji (626-672), it was revered by the Toi clan and other local people. It is said that Arai Sanetsugu, who accompanied Minamoto no Yoshiie on his European expedition under the protection of Gosho Shrine in 1060, distinguished himself in battle here, making it a shrine with ties to the Minamoto clan. When Minamoto no Yoritomo raised his army in 1180, Doi Sanehira is said to have placed his sword here and performed a goma ritual here to pray for victory.

Sacred tree

Gosho Shrine 📍359-1 Miyashita, Yugawara-cho, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 259-0304

The second person is Hatakeyama Shigetada.
He was known as the "model warrior of the Kanto region" for his high level of education, bravery, and character. When Minamoto no Yoritomo raised an army, he fought on the side of the Taira clan against Yoritomo's forces. He later submitted to Minamoto no Yoritomo and became a vassal, achieving great success in the subjugation of the Taira clan and the conquest of Europe. Combined with his honest and upright character, he became a man highly respected as the "model warrior of the Kanto region." However, even such a man as Hatakeyama Shigetada was inevitably drawn into the political strife of Kamakura, and was eventually framed for treason and killed by Hojo Yoshitoki in what is now Asahi Ward, Yokohama.

Spot 1: Tsurugamine and Futamatagawa Battlefield

Shigetada Hatakeyama's son, Shigeyasu, had an argument over drinks with Hiraga Tomomasa, the son-in-law of Maki no Kata, the second wife of Hojo Tokimasa. Maki no Kata became angry and demanded that Hojo Tokimasa punish Shigetada Hatakeyama. Hojo Masako and Yoshitoki opposed, saying, "There's no way Shigetada Hatakeyama would rebel," but ultimately, the third shogun, Minamoto no Sanetomo, issued an order to subjugate Shigetada Hatakeyama. Around that time, Shigetada Hatakeyama was on his way to Kamakura from his castle in Sugaya, Musashi Province, after receiving word that something unusual had happened in Kamakura and that he should be sent there immediately. Shigetada Hatakeyama's forces then engaged in a battle at Tsurugamine and Futamatagawa (present-day Asahi Ward, Yokohama) with a punitive force (led by Yoshitoki Hojo) that had left Kamakura. Hatakeyama Shigetada's army, consisting of only a hundred or so soldiers, fought bravely against the Kamakura army of tens of thousands, but was outnumbered and no match for them, and in the end, it is said that the entire family committed suicide.
In this way, Hatakeyama Shigetada, a model Kanto warrior, was killed, but this incurred the displeasure of many Kanto warriors, and was one of the major reasons why Hojo Tokimasa and Maki no Kata were later exiled from Kamakura.

Upside-down arrow bamboo

Tsurugamine-Futamatagawa Battlefield Site 📍1-1 Tsurugamine Honmachi, Asahi Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 241-0021

Over the past few articles, we have introduced spots in Kanagawa Prefecture that are associated with the Kamakura Shogunate.
Kanagawa Prefecture is home to many places that have played a key role in history, from being the political center during the Kamakura period to being a symbol of civilization and enlightenment since the Meiji period.
Why not visit historical sites and historic sites and experience the many charms of Kanagawa?

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

Check out past articles
Touring places associated with the Kamakura Shogun
A place associated with Hojo Yoshitoki
Touring places associated with Hojo Tokimasa and Kajiwara Kagetoki
Places associated with the Kamakura Shogunate - Visiting places associated with Miura Yoshizumi and Wada Yoshimori
Places associated with the Kamakura Shogunate - Visiting places associated with Oe Hiromoto and Adachi Morinaga