Meigetsu-in
| Fukugenzan Meigetsu-in | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
| Country |  Japan |
| Website | |
| None | |
Fugenzan Meigetsu-in (福源山明月院) is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kenchō-ji school in Kita-Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. Famous for its hydrangeas, it's also known as The Temple of Hydrangeas (ajisai-dera). The main object of worship is goddess Shō Kannon (聖観音).
History
Meigetsu-in was built by Uesugi Norikata of the powerful Uesugi clan, and the name itself derives from Norikata's own posthumous name (Meigetsu)[1]. According to 350-year-old records it was originally just the guest rooms of a much bigger temple called Zenkō-ji (禅興寺)) which was closed by the government during the Meiji period[1]. Zenkō-ji was a temple of considerable prestige, being one of the Rinzai Zen temples classified as (Kantō Jissetsu (関東十刹), which were second in importance only to Kamakura's so-called Five Mountains (Kamakura Gozan (鎌倉五山)[1]. Zenkō-ji however didn't survive the anti-Buddhist clampdown (Haibutsu kishaku) that followed the Meiji Restoration[1]. Meigetsu-in is the owner of a famous 13th century statue of Uesugi Shigefusa, founder of the Uesugi clan[1]. He is dressed in the picturesque clothes of the dignitaries of the Kamakura period[1]. The statue is a National Treasure[1].
Points of interest
- The temple itself with its beautiful round window (see photo above)
- The temple's garden contains one of the celebrated Ten Wells of Kamakura (鎌倉十の井), the Kame no I (瓶の井)[1]
- The Karen Sansui, a garden of raked sand, rocks and plants representing legendary Buddhist Mount Shumi.
- The yagura cave dug on the side of a hill is the largest in Kamakura. The small tower at its center is thought to be Norikata's tomb[1]
- Hōjō Tokiyori's grave[1]
- The hydrangeas in the garden. The flowers, however famous, are apparently just a recent addition. They were reportedly chosen because of the ease with which they grow.
Getting there
- Get off at JR Yokosuka Line's Kita-Kamakura Station. Walk about ten minutes towards Kamakura on the right side of the street following the signs. Meigetsu-in is on a side street to your right.
Meigetsu-in's Coordinates: 35°20′06″N 139°33′05″E / 35.3349°N 139.5515°E.
Click on the coordinates to display more info.
Notes
References
- Mutsu, Iso (1995/06). Kamakura. Fact and Legend. Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0804819688.
{{cite book}}: Check|first=value (help); Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Meigetsu-in, A guide to Kamakura accessed on March 29, 2008
- Kita Kamakura, Kamakura Citizen Network accessed on March 29, 2008
- 明月院, Japanese Wikipedia accessed on March 29, 2008
