Overlooked tourist spots in Kamakura (especially the former strongholds of the Later Hojo clan)
The members of the “Later Hojo clan”—also known as the “Neo-Hojo”—and particularly the “Tamanawa Hojo,” represent another important, yet often overlooked, facet of Kamakura. I encourage you to explore the traces they left behind on the outer side of the Kiridōshi” (the mountain pass).There are also other historic sites associated with sad anecdotes and unique legends.
The “Kamakura History and Culture Exchange Center”: A Premier Kamakura-Style Space
The Kamakura History and Culture Museum is a beautiful building designed by the renowned British architect Norman Foster. The museum houses a wealth of valuable exhibits, and its grounds feature numerous historical sites that epitomize Kamakura, spanning from the medieval to the modern eras. Climb up to the observation deck for a breathtaking view of the ocean.
“The Heart Sutra”: This Essential Power Tool!
The famous phrase from the Heart Sutra: “Form is emptiness; emptiness is form.” Of these, the phrase “emptiness is form” offers a precious teaching that helps us live with a positive and vibrant spirit in today’s complex and chaotic society. For us today, who tend to voluntarily burden ourselves with mental distress and stray onto the path of delusion, the Heart Sutra is truly an essential power tool for cutting through evil and delusion, enabling us to live our lives with vigor and vitality.
Eating the rivals of “Edo-mae” (Tokyo Bay) fishing!
Back when Tokyo was known as Edo, Tokyo Bay and the Sumida River, along with other waterways, must have been a veritable paradise for anglers.There were far more fish swimming there than there are today, and aogisu(blue whiting) that are now extinct were still thriving.The shirogisu(white whiting) is still thriving today, and like a lotus blooming from the mud, it delights us with its beautiful, pearl-like body.Edo-mae(Tokyo Bay) fish. That includes shirogisu(white whiting), of course, as well as conger eel, big-eyed flathead, flounder, Konoshiro, and so on. If we even include fish like the Ginpo—a staple of high-end tempura—a truly vast array of species comes to mind. However, here I’d like to focus specifically on three fish that are particularly familiar to us and renowned as formidable fishing opponents: the sea bass , the black sea bream , and the mullet. I would like to limit my thoughts here to these three fish.
Kamakura and Koga: The Birthplaces of Japan’s Warring States Period
There is a widely accepted theory that Japan’s Warring States period began with the “Kyotoku Rebellion,” which broke out in Kamakura. If this is correct, then Kamakura—or Koga in Ibaraki Prefecture—could be considered the birthplace of the Warring States period. The exploits of Hojo Soun, Japan’s first warlord, may also lend credence to this theory. Furthermore, historical novelist Michiko Nagai has been named an honorary citizen of both Kamakura City and Koga City. For these reasons, the history of the late Muromachi period in the Kanto region remains endlessly fascinating.
Viewing the Three Great Dragon Paintings of Kamakura
Kita-Kamakura area was once the domain of the Hojo clan, who built influential Zen temples there: Jorakuji, Kenchoji, and Engakuji. All three temples possess dragon ceiling paintings, each created by renowned master painters. These works are generally open for viewing anytime by anyone. We invite you to experience this profound beauty for yourselves.
The Moon on Earth, the Unrestrained Poet Saigyo
Saigyo, who fully grasped the essence of freedom, lived a full life, and met his end with dignity, gives us courage. Yonejiro Noguchi, who described Saigyo's solitary and noble way of life as “the moon on earth,” himself a poet, elucidated Saigyo in his book “On Saigyo.” Furthermore, the “Shigitatsuan” in Oiso is a rare spot where we can easily feel Saigyo's presence.
The Sweets Yukio Mishima Loved
These are the madeleines from Nisshindo Kashiten in Shimoda, Izu, which were beloved by Yukio Mishima. In a sense, these sweets encapsulate the true essence of Mishima, stripped of his armor. I believe Yukio Mishima's charm lies in his pure, thoughtful, and approachable personality above all else.
Tora-san's Town and the Town of Movies
"Tora-san" is more than just a movie. To put it dramatically, he has become part of my flesh and blood. So when I heard that Kiyoshi Atsumi, the actor who played Tora-san, had passed away, it was more than just waking from a long dream. I also experienced a physical pain, a stinging sensation as if my chest had been gouged out.
Visiting the Former Residence of Yoshiya Nobuko: A Sukiya-Style Building in Kamakura
I visited the former residence of Yoshiya Nobuko (Yoshiya Nobuko Memorial House) in Kamakura. It is open to the public in the spring and fall. Of all the rooms, I particularly enjoyed viewing the study that faces the north garden. There, a desk and a chair are placed. I naturally recall her famous verse, "秋灯机の上の幾山河," and think of her life devoted to literature. I am encouraged.