Hello! It’s Kumakichi!
Have you ever traveled southeast from Kamakura Station? While the northern area is famous for Komachi Street and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which are popular among international visitors, the southeast also offers a fascinating world to explore. This area is rich with natural beauty and home to several temples like Hongaku-ji, Myōhon-ji, Ankokuron-ji, and Myōhō-ji. These temples share a common link as they are part of the Nichiren sect founded by Nichiren. They are essential for understanding Nichiren’s teachings.
Among them, I’d like to introduce Myohoji Temple in this post. It’s a truly captivating temple, and I hope you’ll read through the entire article to discover more!
About Myōhōji Temple
Myōhō-ji Temple is located on the site where Nichiren, who came to Kamakura from Awa (southern Chiba Prefecture) to spread his teachings, is said to have established his first hermitage (the Matsubagayatsu hermitage). It is also believed that the area was the site of the “Matsubagayatsu Persecution,” where Nichiren’s hermitage was burned down by those opposed to him.
Later, in 1357, Nichiei, the son of Prince Morinaga, built the temple to honor his parents, who had met a tragic end, and to preserve Nichiren’s legacy.
Exploring the Grounds
The temple grounds offer a variety of attractions! Let’s take a closer look at each one.
First up is the Nio Gate! There are two imposing Nio statues here. As I approached, their fierce expressions were quite intimidating, so I quickly passed by!
Behind the Nio Gate, there is a moss-covered stone staircase that you can’t actually climb, but peeking up from below, it was incredibly beautiful and captivating. Don’t you think the way the moss grows is very elegant? It feels like you can sense a touch of Japanese “wabi-sabi,” a concept of beauty in simplicity and natural changes.
Climbing up a different staircase, you’ll find the remains of the Shakadō (Shakyamuni Hall). Doesn’t it have a divine aura? The way the fingers are positioned is quite unique; there might be some special meaning behind it.
As someone with a bit of knowledge about Nichiren, the most notable spot for me is the “Matsubagayatsu Hermitage Ruins.” This is believed to be the site where Nichiren lived for nearly 20 years. It’s located quite a hike up the mountain. I wondered if this place was as serene back then and spent some time gazing at it. Natural and peaceful places like this seem perfect for deepening one’s thoughts and reflections.
Lastly, the entire temple grounds are adorned with beautiful flowers. Even though I visited in late March, the sight was impressive. It felt like the arrival of spring! A journey exploring Nichiren is wonderful, but the flowers add an extra charm.
Conclusion
So, what did you think?
Feeling the rich natural surroundings and enjoying sights like the moss-covered stone stairs made the stroll incredibly enjoyable. Personally, I really like this temple.
Of course, enjoying a walk in nature is great on its own, but since this is the place where Nichiren lived, learning more about him can offer a deeper, more enriching experience.
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