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On Monday of our trip up to Yokohama we took a side trip to Kamakura, which was the base city for the shogunate during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Although the city has many temples and shrines and could be a weekend destination in itself, we had only a few hours so the goal was to see two well known temples, Kotokuin and Hasedera. Above is a guardian figure at the gate of Kotokuin.
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-After stashing our bags at the station we took the bus to Kotokuin, which is famous for the 13 meter high bronze Daibutsu constructed in 1252. As you can see in this photo, we were not the only ones who thought to go to Kamakura on a beautiful early fall day. It seemed that half of Japan was at Kotokuin.
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Leaning in for a *kiss*
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The bronze weighs about 121 tons. Originally it was housed inside of a wooden temple building, but tsunami washed away the structure in 1495 and the Daibutsu has been ouside ever since.
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The windows on his back.
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For less than a dollar you can enter the Daibutsu, so we did. It was pretty cramped and dark, but very neat to see how the bronze was constructed.
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Our next stop was Hasedera, a 5 minute walk from Kotokuin. According to legend this temple was founded in the 8th century. The grounds were beautiful in the afternoon light.
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After climbing up the small hill that the temple sits atop, we viewed the 9 meter tall 11-headed Kannon sculpture. Photos are not allowed inside, but here's Joe on the steps of the Kannon hall.
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The view from the temple overlook.
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After walking down a flight of stairs we arrived at an area for the Bodhisattva Jizo. Jizo is believed to care for children (and the unborn), ease pains in childbirth, relieve suffering, and even venture into hell to save you! This makes him quite a popular figure.
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Me and many Jizo.
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At the bottom of the hill, a butterfly outisde of the sutra hall.
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At the bottom of the hill is a cave with sculptures carved for Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods.
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Inside the cave.
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Yeah, be cautious above your head. This passage was about 3 feet high, which wouldn't have been so bad if Joe hadn't pointed out a huge cave spider to me only moments before. Eesh.
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Leaving Hasedera, the beautiful grounds.
Leaving Hasedera, the beautiful grounds.
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We headed back home via Shinkansen, subway, and train l stopping for a quick dinner at ShinKobe station. Our trip was a great way to start of the cool early fall season, and a great weekend of viewing art.
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