Jojuin Temple, Kamakura

Kobo-daishi recited a mantra 1,000,000 times here!

Takako Sakamoto Mar 26, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Front view of Jojuin Temple's main hall with manicured Japanese garden in the foreground</p>

<p>Bronze statue of Kobo-daishi (Kukai) standing on the temple grounds</p>

<p>Looking up at the main gate of Jojuin Temple in Kamakura</p>

<p>Fierce-looking bronze dragon at the water purification basin</p>

<p>History of Jojuin written on a wooden board at the entrance</p>

<p>Jojuin's main hall. Beautiful golden letter says, 'Jojuin'</p>

<p>I wonder if this is a small plum tree? What an artistic curve!</p>

<p>I found a funny statue here. It's called 'Nade-kaeru', meaning, 'petting frog'. Probably, if you pet this frog's head you will have good luck!</p>

<p>The memorial pavilion of Prince Shotoku commemorating the1,300-year anniversary of his demise</p>

<p>The sign indicating that this Japanese umbrella pine (Koya-maki) in the background was planted by Prince Hisahito, the future emperor of Japan.</p>

<p>The face of Kobo-daishi (Kukai)'s statue in black & white</p>

After visiting Gokurakuji Temple in Kamakura in late February, I headed toward Jojuin Temple, which is located just a stone's throw away from Gokurakuji. I just happened to visit these two temples (a cab driver dropped me off there), but it turned out that I visited Gokuraku (heaven) and a place of Joju (success/accomplishment) in one day by sheer chance. This should mean I'll be VERY lucky this year, shouldn't it? Anyway, established in 1219, Jojuin is a prestigious temple where Kobo-daishi (Kukai) once trained himself for 100 days reciting a Buddhist mantra 1,000,000 times. The principal image of this temple is Fudo Myo-o, which is said to ensure successful love relationships. For further information please read this article on Japan Travel.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...