Shūgenji Temple is located very close to the Hase train station on the Enoden line, which runs through Kamakura. Originally, the temple was the dwelling place of Shinjō Kingo Yorimoto (1221-1279), an early follower of Nichiren Buddhism. Nichiren Buddhism (The Lotus Sect) was a persecuted sect during this period of Japanese history. Shinjō Kingo Yorimoto was memorialized when, in 1271 when Nichiren Daishoin was brought to the execution grounds, he came running barefoot to hold the reins of Nichiren's horse, vowing to die with him. Nichiren was exiled and Shinjō persecuted until Shinjō's skill as physician and sincerity led to his eventual forgiveness.
His residence was turned into a temple in the Edo Period (1603-1868).
Looks like you were there for the early spring blooms. I imagine it's quite pretty in summer when everything is green and thriving.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, we were blessed by unexpectedly warm and sunny weather for this time of year (the day after we left, it snowed). I suppose one of my "bucket list" items (if I had one) would be to see the cherry blossoms in Japan.
DeleteSome kind of woodwork done there TB.
ReplyDeleteNylon12, wood was a highly available resource and used in almost everything. It was only in the early to mid modern era (Meiji restoration and following) that modern building materials like stone, steel, and concrete were used.
DeleteSometimes I ponder if any of my pieces will survive a 100 years or even more and how they will look with decades of furniture polish buildup on them. I have never been able to visualize it but I so do enjoy looking at old woodwork that is meticulously polished after all those decades.
ReplyDeleteEd, your pieces stand a better chance of surviving with love than most of the consumer wood products that are currently on the market.
DeleteJapan is a woodcrafter's dream in terms of work and preservation of it.