Kenchoji

• Founded: 1253
• Founder: Dôryû
• Japanese: 建長寺 (Kenchouji)

Kenchô-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kamakura, the first temple in Japan to be founded as a Zen temple. Kenchô-ji is counted as number one among the Kamakura Gosan (the five top Zen temples in the city).

The temple was founded in 1253 by the Chinese monk Dôryû, upon the request of Hôjô Tokiyori. It was originally built in the form of Chinese Ch'an temples, with seven buildings at the center, including a hattô (Hall of the Law), butsuden (Buddha Hall), and sanmon and sômon gates. At its height, the temple featured 49 tatchû (sub-temples within the same compound). Though most burned down over the course of the 14th-15th centuries, a lot was rebuilt in the early Edo period, under the guidance of Takuan Oshô.

Seven Chinese junipers which stand in the compound, noted as famous historical landmarks, are said to have been planted during the temple's founding, making them over 750 years old. The temple's garden is said to have been designed by Musô Soseki, and the temple's bell, cast in 1255, has been designated a National Treasure. A dragon painting on the ceiling of the hattô was painted by Koizumi Junsaku in 2000, in honor of the 750th anniversary of the temple's founding.

A protective shrine called Hansôbô stands on the mountainside behind the temple; the shrine, strongly associated with the tengu, features numerous statues of the creatures.

References

• "Kenchôji." Kamakura-burabura.com. Accessed 16 December 2009.