Myohon-ji

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The main worship hall at Myôhon-ji, with a particularly high roof.

Myôhon-ji is a Nichiren-shû Buddhist temple in the Hikigayatsu Valley in Kamakura.

The temple was established on the site of the residence of Hiki Yoshikazu, a vassal of Minamoto no Yoritomo whose clan was destroyed in 1203 by Hôjô Tokimasa; the Hôjô at that time were fighting to supplant the Hiki's powerful position within the shogunate. Hiki Yoshimoto, son of Yoshikazu, survived the battle, and established a Hokke-dô Meditation Hall on the grounds which later evolved into the temple of Myôhon-ji.

The graveyard at the temple includes a grave yagura for the Hiki clan, as well as one where thirteen retainers of the Satake clan, who committed suicide after a 1422 Satake loss to the Uesugi clan, are buried. Take gosho, the wife of Shogun Kujô Yoritsune, is also buried at Myôhon-ji, along with Minamoto Ichiman, eldest son of Shogun Minamoto no Yoriie.

The Kamakura Daibutsu Mountain Hiking Course passes directly behind the main worship hall of the temple.

References

  • Plaques on-site.
  • "Myôhon-ji." Kamakura-burabura.com.

External Links