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Kamakura is a small city in [[Kanagawa prefecture]] (formerly, [[Sagami province]]), to the west of [[Tokyo]] and [[Yokohama]]. It was the seat of the [[Kamakura shogunate]] from [[1192]] to [[1333]].
Kamakura is a small city in [[Kanagawa prefecture]] (formerly, [[Sagami province]]), to the west of [[Tokyo]] and [[Yokohama]]. It was the seat of the [[Kamakura shogunate]] from [[1192]] to [[1333]].
==Geography & Major Sites==
The city is situated in a valley and its surrounding mountains. The main portion of the city is organized around [[Wakamiya-oji|Wakamiya-ôji]], a major boulevard which runs roughly directly north-south, from [[Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine]], nestled up against the mountains, to the beach in the south. Buddhist temples, other sites, and residential neighborhoods are scattered across the surrounding mountains.
The city is situated in a valley and its surrounding mountains. The main portion of the city is organized around [[Wakamiya-oji|Wakamiya-ôji]], a major boulevard which runs roughly directly north-south, from [[Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine]], nestled up against the mountains, to the beach in the south. Buddhist temples, other sites, and residential neighborhoods are scattered across the surrounding mountains.
Two of the most famous sites in the city are Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, and the Kamakura Daibutsu (or, Great Buddha). Tsurugaoka was one of the chief patron shrines of the [[Minamoto clan]] (the clan of the first three Kamakura shoguns), and is dedicated to the warrior deity [[Hachiman]]. It sits at the northern end of Wakamiya-ôji, and was in the premodern era a very significant presence in the city planning; the shogunate administrative offices, as well as the residences of the shogun and his chief retainers, were organized around this shrine. The Daibutsu is easily of the most famous and widely-recognizable sights in all of Japan. The second-largest bronze Buddha statue in the country, it dates back to [[1252]]; it was originally located indoors, but though it has been left exposed to the elements since that hall was destroyed in a tsunami in [[1498]], the Buddha remains in its original location and has survived every natural disaster since.<ref name=bura>"[http://www.kamakura-burabura.com/meisyokamakuradaibutu.htm Kôtoku-in (Kamakura Daibutsu)]." Kamakura-burabura.com.</ref> The city's [[Hasedera (Kamakura)|Hasedera]], founded in the 8th century, is also significant.
Two of the most famous sites in the city are Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, and the Kamakura Daibutsu (or, Great Buddha). Tsurugaoka was one of the chief patron shrines of the [[Minamoto clan]] (the clan of the first three Kamakura shoguns), and is dedicated to the warrior deity [[Hachiman]]. It sits at the northern end of Wakamiya-ôji, and was in the premodern era a very significant presence in the city planning; the shogunate administrative offices, as well as the residences of the shogun and his chief retainers, were organized around this shrine. The Daibutsu is easily of the most famous and widely-recognizable sights in all of Japan. The second-largest bronze Buddha statue in the country, it dates back to [[1252]]; it was originally located indoors, but though it has been left exposed to the elements since that hall was destroyed in a tsunami in [[1498]], the Buddha remains in its original location and has survived every natural disaster since.<ref name=bura>"[http://www.kamakura-burabura.com/meisyokamakuradaibutu.htm Kôtoku-in (Kamakura Daibutsu)]." Kamakura-burabura.com.</ref> The city's [[Hasedera (Kamakura)|Hasedera]], founded in the 8th century, is also significant.
==History==
[[Minamoto no Yoritomo]] established himself in Kamakura in [[1180]] as he called his banners to war against the [[Taira clan]]. Once the dust settled in 1185, he made the city the seat of his new shogunate.
During the Kamakura period, the city saw a number of significant religious developments. The [[Hojo clan (Hojo Regents)|Hôjô clan]], regents to the shoguns, heavily patronized [[Zen]] Buddhism, and Kamakura joined Kyoto as one of the chief centers of Zen practice in the country. The monk [[Nichiren]] also founded his [[Nichiren Buddhism|Lotus Sect]] school of Buddhism in Kamakura in the 13th century.
During the Kamakura period, the city saw a number of significant religious developments. The [[Hojo clan (Hojo Regents)|Hôjô clan]], regents to the shoguns, heavily patronized [[Zen]] Buddhism, and Kamakura joined Kyoto as one of the chief centers of Zen practice in the country. The monk [[Nichiren]] also founded his [[Nichiren Buddhism|Lotus Sect]] school of Buddhism in Kamakura in the 13th century.
The city saw considerable violence again in the 1330s, as forces loyal to the shogunate, and to [[Emperor Go-Daigo]], battled over control. The city fell to Imperial forces led by [[Nitta Yoshisada]] in [[1333]], and before the end of the year, the shogunate officially fell, and the last Hôjô regent, [[Hojo Takatoki|Hôjô Takatoki]] committed suicide. [[Ashikaga Takauji]] then led forces to take control of the city in [[1335]] from Takatoki's son, [[Hojo Tokiyuki|Hôjô Tokiyuki]].
The [[Sengoku period]] brought violence to the city once more. The city was burned by [[Imagawa Noritada]] in [[1455]], and fell to forces of [[Hojo Soun|Ise Shinkurô]] (Hôjô Sôun) in [[1512]]. Sôun established himself as lord of Kamakura, granting tax exemptions to several of the major temples while continuing to fight to secure his power over the surrounding region.
[[Satomi clan]] staged a landing at the beach in [[1524]] in an attempt to seize the city from [[Hojo Ujitsuna|Hôjô Ujitsuna]]; though they ultimately retreated, the Satomi burned much of the city, including Tsurugaoka Hachiman, to the ground. Ujitsuna immediately afterwards began overseeing the reconstruction of the shrine, and the city.
==References==
==References==
