Culture
Kita-Kamakura’s Engaku-ji Temple
Tomoko KamishimaThis complex of temples has a long pavement leading into the inner grounds. Zen temples usually place their buildings in a line, and Engau-ji is no exception.
Engakuji is the second most important temple out of Kamakura’s Five Great Zen Temples and was founded by regent Hojo Tokimune in 1282 to commemorate both the Japanese and Mongolian soldiers who lost their lives when Mongolia attempted to invade Japan in 1281 (the Battle of Koan).
In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed many, but not all, of the original buildings. Therefore, some of the structures today are relatively modern reconstructions.
This principal temple is the head branch school of the Rinzai-sect of Zen Buddhism and some areas of the complex are not open to the public. Even so, the historical structures, ubiquitous nature, and educational atmosphere make for a soul-rejuvenating visit. Engakuji’s bell tower and Shariden Hall are designated as national treasures.
For a truly immersive experience, join the temple’s morning zen meditations or enjoy traditional Japanese food and drinks at its tea house, which sells vegetable curry, dumplings, azuki bean sweets, matcha, and amazake (sweet sake).
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Sanmon is the main gate to the temple and is meant to expel worldly desires from visitors. The commanding wooden structure was rebuilt in 1785 and enshrines the Eleven-Faced Kannon, Twelve Heavenly Generals, and Sixteen Lakan on its upper floor.
Just past Sanmon is the shrine’s main building, Butsuden, which houses Engakuji’s principal image of Buddha—a wooden statue of Shaka Buddha. Butsuden was reconstructed in 1964 after the Great Kanto Earthquake.
Shariden, located toward the back of the temple complex, is designated as a national treasure and enshrines a tooth of Buddha. The hall features architectural mastery in its curved roofs and wooden facade.
The picturesque scenery of nature and temple buildings, plus the collection of Japanese maple trees, make Engakuji a popular spot to enjoy the changing foliage. The leaves are usually at their most vibrant in early December.
Engakuji Temple is a 1 minute walk from Kita-Kamakura station.
This complex of temples has a long pavement leading into the inner grounds. Zen temples usually place their buildings in a line, and Engau-ji is no exception.
Engakuji is known for its Zen. But here in this series of photos, I focus more on the lovely gardens and flowers.
Engaku-ji Temple was established in 1282 for the repose of both Chinese and Japanese soldiers’ souls. The war between the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) of old China and the
13世紀、ユーラシア大陸を横断する帝国を作り上げた元（蒙古、またはモンゴル帝国1271-1368）は、1274年（文永の役）と1281年（弘安の役）の二度に渡り、日本侵攻を試みた。鎌倉幕府は九州北部でこれを迎え撃ち、辛うじて元の侵略を食い止めたが、二度の戦いにより多くの命が失われた。
วัดเอนงาคุจิถูกสร้างขึ้นเมื่อปีค.ศ. 1282 เพื่อให้เป็นที่พักผ่อนของดวงวิญญาณทหารจีนและญี่ปุ่น สงครามระหว่างราชวงศ์หยวน (1271-1368) ของจีนยุคเก่าและตระกูลโชกุนคามาคูระของญี่ปุ่นนำไปสู่การล้มตายจำนวนมหาศาลของเหล่าทหารระหว่างสงครามในปี 1274 และ 1281
O Templo Engaku-ji foi fundado em 1282 para repouso das almas dos soldados chineses e japoneses.
The precincts of Kamakura's Engaku-ji are brilliantly colored by fall foliage in late November to early December
Daerah sekitar Kamakura's Engaku-ji berwarna sangat cerah pada akhir bulan november sampai awal desember
Engaku-ji à Kamakura est bien connu pour son enseignement du Zen. Mais ici, c'est avant tout sur ses magnifiques jardins que je me suis concentré.
วัดเอ็นกะคุจิ เป็นวัดที่มีชื่อเสียงในเรื่องเซน ทางวัดได้เปิดสอนหลักสูตรเชนในฤดูร้อนที่มีขึ้นในกลางเดือนกรกฏาคม และเปิดสอนมาตั้งแต่ก่อนสงครามโลกครั้งที่สอง ในภาพเล่าเรื่องนี้ ผมโฟกัสที่สวนและดอกไม้สวยๆ ของวัด ซึ่งผมคิดว่าเป็นมุมที่อ่อนนุ่มของวัด รวมกับกฎระเบียบของการถ่ายรูป ทำให้เกิดประสบการณ์ที่เหมือนเซน
Chùa Engakuji nổi tiếng với Thiền. Nhưng trong loạt ảnh này, tôi tập trung nhiều hơn vào những khu vườn xinh xắn và hoa cỏ.
Khuôn viên chùa Engaku-ji tại thành phố Kamakura sặc sỡ những sắc màu của những tán cây mùa thu vào cuối tháng 11 đầu tháng 12.
Khu phức hợp đền thờ này có vỉa hè dài dẫn vào sân trong khuôn viên ngôi đền. Các ngôi chùa Zen thường xây dựng các tòa nhà theo một hàng, và Engaku-ji cũng không ngoại lệ.
이 사찰 단지에는 내부로 통하는 긴 길 있다. 선신당들은 보통 그들의 건물을 일렬로 세우는데, 엔고지도 예외는 아니다.
Popular throughout anytime of the year, Kamakura’s Enkakuji Temple is a great place to visit during the rainy season where the colorful sights are guaranteed to brighten up your spirits, even on the dampest of days
One of Kamakura's most loved Zen Buddhist temples, Engakuji has a lot to offer in terms of history and nature.
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Tokeiji, a Rinzai-sect temple of Zen Buddhism, is a branch temple of nearby Engakuji, which is a short 5-minute walk away. This important temple/nunnery was founded in 1285 by the wife of regent Hojo Tokimune as a sanctuary for women who were abused by their husbands. In a time when women could not legally divorce, Tokeiji offered them a three-year training program in return for an official divorce. The temple’s right to issue divorces was revoked in the early 1870s and its time as a nunnery ended in 1902. Up until 1902, men were strictly forbidden from entering the premises. Today, all visitors are welcome, and the temple is known for its beautiful flower gardens from summertime hydrangeas to wintertime plum blossoms. The relatively small complex features multiple structures, including an entrance gate, a bell tower, tea houses, a treasure house, and a main hall. The treasure house holds Buddhist artifacts, as well as lacquer work from past nuns; and the main hall enshrines a seated statue of Shaka Nyorai, the principal image of the temple. Join the temple for early morning zazen meditation, which is held every Sunday.
Fugenzan Meigetsu-in is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kenchō-ji school in Kita-Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. Famous for its hydrangeas, it's also known as The Temple of Hydrangeas. The main object of worship is goddess Shō Kannon. Wikipedia
Kenchoji is Kamakura’s oldest Zen temple and is recognized as the top temple of the city’s Five Great Zen Temples. It was originally founded by regent Hojo Tokiyori in 1253 as a Zen training temple, and its first head priest was a Chinese Zen priest named Rankei Doryu. One of Kenchoji’s defining characteristics is its expansive temple grounds. After the gates and main area, the complex extends deep into the wooded hills. The temple’s main buildings feature traditional Chinese architecture and are arranged in a line, which is characteristic of Chinese Zen Buddhist temples. Kenchoji’s entrance is marked by Somon, a relatively small, yet beautiful, wooden gate that leads to the main gate, Sanmon. This massive wooden structure is meant to relieve you of all your attachments. Just past Sanmon and to the right is the temple’s bell tower, and to the left is a revered juniper tree. This 13-meter-tall tree is estimated to be about 760 years old and allegedly sprouted from seeds brought from China during the temple’s construction. After the gates, the temple buildings stand in a line down the complex. First is Butsuden (Buddha Hall), which enshrines the principal statue of the temple, Jizo Bodhisattva. Directly behind Butsuden is Hatto, the largest wooden temple building in Eastern Japan. When Kenchoji was strictly a training temple, monks would gather in Hatto to listen to priests’ lectures. Inside Hatto is a statue of Senju Kannon and a stunning ceiling painting of a dragon among the clouds. Past Hatto is Hojo; this building was initially the head priest’s residence, but today is popular for its picturesque Zen garden. Sanmon, the bell tower, Butsuden, and Hatto are all designated as National Important Cultural Properties. After the main temple grounds, a path goes further into the forested hillside to Hansobo. This small shrine is dedicated to Hansobo Daigongen, the guardian deity of the temple, and has a small observation deck. A little further past the shrine is a second observation deck where you can observe Mount Fuji on clear days. From this point, there is a one-hour hiking trail that leads to Zuisenji Temple.