Tokyo Traveler

Darth Vader, Lord Valdemort, and the Joker Attack Kamakura

 Lord Valdemort, Darth Vader, and the Joker recently visited Kamakura where they viciously wished the destruction of other’s wishes.  The funny thing is, this is probably the only wish on this board that is actually going to come true.

  This was at Tsurigaoka Hachimangu, considered to be the most important Shinto shrine in Kamakura. This shrine was originally built in 1063 in Zaimokuza and dedicated to Hachiman, the the almighty god of kickin’ ass and protectin’  Japan from itself and who knows what, as well as the guardian of the Minamoto samurai clan. Minamoto Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate moved it to its present location in 1191, allowing Hachiman to more closely guard his government which only lasted 141 years after 1192 so i guess Hachiman got bored after a while.

 

We then walked to the 750 year old Kenchoji, the first Zen Buddhism temple built in Kamakura, and considered to be the best of their top 5 list of temples in Kamakura.

 

I asked a monk here how the top 5 list was determined, “best 5 for what?” and he said the list is part tourist attraction though also based on how feng shui, and how many elements of historical importance each temple possesses.

 I find it interesting it’s called Kenchoji  Temple in English as the ji in Kenchoji means temple. Shouldn’t it be called Kencho Temple? Not Kencho temple temple?

 

 

After Kenchoji, we walked to the Kuzuharaoka – Daibutus hiking coursel that would lead us to the Daibutsu, the giant Buddha Kamakura is famous for.