The Magnificent Kamkura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine is located in the eastern coastal city of Kamakura Japan, which is located 50 Kilometers south of Tokyo. To the south is Sagami Bay which is surrounded by Kanagawa to the east, Shizuoka to the west, and the Shonan coastline to the north. The bay has seen many natural disasters throughout history, including the massive tsunami of 1498, generated by the Nankai earthquake which destroyed the temple housing the Daibustu.
The area is often struck with powerful Typhoons which cause huge storms surges and severe winds. These events were so unpredictable that they had a profound impact on the early Japanese cultures and the development of the Shinto religion. The city of Kamakura has a very historical value in history as it was once considered the de facto capital of Japan during the Kamakura period. There are many historical sites and shrines in the city that date back to the 11th century, with the most recognizable being the Daibustu, or better know in English as the Great Buddha. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was first established by Minamoto Yoriyoshi in 1063 as a base for the Minamoto clan, " He returned to Kamakura, and built a small shrine for the Hachiman Kami (the Japanese word for Shinto deities) near the coast to give thanks for success in suppressing the rebellion. The Hachiman Kami was regarded as the protector Kami of the warrior class" (History Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, n.d.). Tsurugaoka Hchimangu is the most important shrine in Kamakura, as it is devoted to Hachiman, the patron god of the Minamoto family and founder of the Kamakura Shogunate. The descendant of Yoriyoshi, Yoritomo Minamoto who was the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate (1185-1333) , known as the Kamakura Period, constructed the current Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine in honor of the Hachiman Kami, "the Japanese word for Shinto deities" (History Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, n.d.). The shrine was erected after the defeat of the rival clan Taira in 1180, enabling the Minamoto clan to become the first ruling samurai of Japan, "it can be said that Yoritomo laid the foundations for 675 years of samurai rule"(History Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, n.d.). The site of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was not only a religious authority for the shogunates, but also as the political center of the Kamakura Period. "The reason Yoritomo chose Kamakura as his base was because it was here that his great ancestor had successfully put down the 1063 rebellion" (History Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, n.d.). The site of Kamakura was chosen by Yoritomo due to the geographic advantages, it was located at the base of a mountain with steep hills, and was only accessible from the sea. These advantages made it very easy to defend from rival clans during the feudal time of the Kamakura period. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was built in typical Shinto architecture which is Buddhist in origin. Shinto shrines can be identified by the large Tori gates at the entrance, they are usually constructed from stone and wood, but more recently they are also made of copper, concrete, and stainless steel.. The Shinto shrines were constructed by the samurai and their shogun clans in order to worship their deities, the most important being Hachiman. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu represented what Yoritomo thought, that all shoguns and samurai should aspire to following his ambitions. "The shrine was founded on Yoritomo’s faith and respect for his ancestors’ achievements" (History Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, n.d.). Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is dedicated to Hachiman, in which there are approximately 20,000 shrines which are devoted to this divine being in the Shinto religion. The Kami faith, which is also called Hachiman Okami, dates back to the 6th century with the arrival of Buddha from China across the sea which was recognized as a Kami. The worship of Hachiman was not only limited to the samurai, but also spread throughout Japan to the peasant populations. During the Kamakura period the samurai class assumed political power over Japan. "During this period, a new rival culture based on the Hachiman faith flourished, and "candidness and vigor", came to be admired as the spirit of the samurai" (Hachiman faith & Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, n.d). The Shinto architecture in Japan is relatively the same since its introduction and has changed very little over time besides the material used to build them. Kamakura is home to many Shinto shrines all with their own deity and purpose of worship, as well as many Buddhist Temples. Shinto shrines are always entered through Tori gates, and usually have a pair of guardian shisa dogs at the entrance to the shrine. There is a fountain located near the entrance to Shinto shrines which is used for purification, where you rinse your mouth and hands prior to entering the shrine for prayer. Buddhist temples will always have an image of the Buddha located inside the temple. There is a large incense burner which is usually located in front of the temple, which is said to have healing properties from waving the smoke over your face and head.
Another famous shrine located close to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is Egara Tenjinsha shrine which honors the Shinto deity that protected the samurai government during the Kamakura period. "Egara Tenjin sha shrine is said to have been built in 1104. It was built by Minamoto no Yoritomo to enshrine as a god to guard against kimon (literally, ogres' gate, the inauspicious directions (north-east, of the Shogunate" (Kamakura Home of the Samurai, n.d.). The shrines and temples of this historic region of Kamakura, and the period that they reflect of the samurai rule, are national treasures for the nation of Japan. The Hachiman faith can still be seen throughout Japan and is a real reflection of the warrior spirit which is Japanese culture. References
Hachiman faith ＆Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. (n.d.). Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (n.d). Retrieved March 8, 2014, from http://www.tsurugaoka-hachimangu.jp/hachiman_faith/
History. (n.d). Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://www.tsurugaoka-hachimangu.jp/history/
"Kamakura, Home of the Samurai"for World Cultural Heritage|Shinto Shrines / Buddhist Temples. (n.d.). "Kamakura, Home of the Samurai"for World Cultural Heritage|Shinto Shrines / Buddhist Temples. Retrieved March 8, 2014, from http://www.bukenokoto- kamakura.com/e/contents/jisha.html
Main Page. (n.d.). Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved March 8, 2014, from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_P
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. (n.d.).Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Retrieved March 8, 2014, from http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~qm9t-kndu/hachiman.htm