Kamakura did not become an ancient capital after the Hojo clan fell. During the Muromachi period, Kamakura was home to the Kamakura-fu, an institution that governed the Kanto region under the Muromachi shogunate. The city continued to be a samurai capital during this time.
Kamakura was the center of the military government for 270 years, from the time of Minamoto no Yoritomo until Ashikaga Shigeuji moved the Kamakura-fu to Koga City in Ibaraki Prefecture. This period is nearly as long as the Edo period, demonstrating Kamakura's significance in Japanese history, comparable to Edo and Kyoto.
During the Middle Ages, New Kamakura Buddhism emerged, including the teachings of Eisai and Shinran. New poetry anthologies, such as the Kinkai, Shin Kokin, and Gyokuyo Wakashu, were compiled. Ink painting was introduced, and the art world evolved. Kamakura-bori was founded, and advances were made in fine arts and crafts, such as Buddhist statue carving. New arts, such as Noh, the tea ceremony, and flower arranging, emerged. In other words, many elements of traditional Japanese culture originated in the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.
Knowing Kamakura means knowing Japan and being immersed in its history and beauty.
It is not without reason that even in recent years, so-called "Kamakura writers" such as Kawabata Yasunari, Osaragi Jiro, and Shiga Mitsuko, as well as master painters such as Maeda Seison, Hirayama Ikuo, and Ogura Yuki, have chosen Kamakura to live.
From this perspective, we will mainly produce books related to Kamakura. In addition to selling the books, we will also introduce information through this website and other means that will allow people to experience the beauty of Kamakura, and ultimately the beauty of Japan.
"But there's Kamakura, isn't there!"
I think we are lucky to have the city of Kamakura.
Lab Deep in Kamakura Juei Masuda
- About our logo
- The animal inside the moss-colored circle is a Japanese wolf.
Though thought to be extinct, some people still hear their terrifying, soul-chilling howl.
Vast forests are the primary condition for the survival of the Japanese wolf.
Without the Japanese wolf, a mountain is lonely and boring. It can no longer be considered a living mountain.
I wish I could hear Japanese wolves howling on a moonlit night again.
With this wish in mind, we have chosen the Japanese wolf as our symbol.
