Meigetsu-in
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History
Meigetsu-in was built by Uesugi Norikata of the powerful Uesugi clan, and the name itself derives from Norikata's own posthumous name (Meigetsu).[1] According to 350-year-old records it was originally just the guest rooms of a much bigger temple called Script error: No such module "Nihongo". which was closed by the government during the Meiji period.[1] Zenkō-ji was a temple of considerable prestige, being one of the Rinzai Zen temples classified as (Script error: No such module "Nihongo"., which were second in importance only to Kamakura's so-called Five Mountains (Script error: No such module "Nihongo"..[1] Zenkō-ji however didn't survive the anti-Buddhist clampdown (Haibutsu kishaku) that followed the Meiji Restoration.[1] Meigetsu-in is the owner of a 13th century statue of Uesugi Shigefusa, founder of the Uesugi clan.[1] He is dressed in the picturesque clothes of the dignitaries of the Kamakura period.[1] The statue is a National Treasure.[1]
Points of interest
- The temple's garden contains one of the celebrated Script error: No such module "Nihongo"., the Kame no I (瓶の井)[1]
- The karesansui, a garden of raked sand, rocks and plants representing legendary Buddhist Mount Shumi.
- The yagura cave dug on the side of a hill is the largest in Kamakura. The small tower at its center is thought to be Norikata's tomb[1]
- Hōjō Tokiyori's grave[1]
- The hydrangeas in the garden. The flowers are apparently just a recent addition. They were reportedly chosen because of the ease with which they grow.
Directions
- Get off at JR Yokosuka Line's Kita-Kamakura Station. Walk about ten minutes towards Kamakura on the left side of the train tracks following the signs. Meigetsu-in is on a side street to your left.
Gallery
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The Yagura. Visible are the figures of the so-called 16 Arhats
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Uesugi Shigefusa's statue, a National Treasure
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Satori no Mado (Window of Enlightenment)
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Several scenes inside the temple during hydrangea season, 2025
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Hydrangeas in the temple
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Snowy season
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Autumn foliage
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Notes
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References
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- Kita Kamakura, Kamakura Citizen Network accessed on March 29, 2008
External links
- Kamakura Trip website "Meigetsu-in Temple" page (in English)
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