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Kamakura Japan

INTRODUCTION

Kamakura, in south western Japan, is one of the most popular destinations on the big island for those looking to explore the country’s long history. It was the administrative seat of the first military government, founded in 1185, and within a few years the city became one of the largest in the world.

Kamakura occupies an idyllic setting on the coast of Japan, with the black sand beach of Sagami Bay to one end and the mountains to the other. Over its long history the city has developed many renowned tourist attractions, including many temples and the Great Buddha dating to around the middle of the 13th century.

HISTORY

Evidence such as stone tools suggests early habitation of the Kamakura region as far back as 10,000 years ago. The oldest craftworks have been dated to the Jomon Period, and are probably older than 5,000 BC.

In the first few centuries of the common era, agriculture began to evolve, and with the introduction of rice cultivation to the region, efforts began to shift from hunting and fishing to farming.

The prosperous village began to grow, and over the next few centuries began to evolve into a minor political and cultural center. Several shrines were constructed, some of which survive today. The remains of early government offices have been uncovered, dating to the Nara period.

By the early years of the Heian period (late 700s), the village of Kamakura was producing nationally recognized scholars, politicians and legendary warriors. The result was increased growth, particularly of temples and shrines.

With the rise of the military class came a series of conflicts pitting one warrior clan against another. Two clans, the Minamoto and the Taira, rose to the top, both being descended from rival branches of the Imperial line. The Minamoto clan established a base in the Kamakura region. Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, head of the clan, founded the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which has since become one of the most important and popular landmarks in the city.

By the end of the Minamoto/ Taira war in 1185, the Minamoto had successfully defeated their Taira rivals, and the power to govern the nation began to shift from the Imperial family to a military government.

By 1192, Minamoto no Yoritomo, head of the clan, was given the title of Seii Tai-shogun, or Shogun, making him the most powerful man in the country. Yoritomo chose Kamakura as his home base, and founded the Kamakura shogunate. The Minamoto would rule from Kamakura for almost 150 years.

The Kamakura Period saw many changes influence Japan, with a restructuring of the social classes and the formation of military laws. Several popular works of fiction were written, many depicting events from the Minamoto/Taira wars. The era was also known for a flourishing of Buddhism, which had been introduced to Japan more than half a millennium earlier. The city became the center for “new Buddhism”, in which several new forms of the faith began to eclipse the older traditions.

Fashion began to evolve as well, leaving behind the lavish and luxurious expenses of the Heian era. More modest clothing became the fashion. Upper class women began wearing the pleated pant known as hakama more commonly.

Around 1252, Kamakura unveiled its most revered landmark. The statue referred to as the Daibutsu, or Great Buddha, stands 44 feet (more than 13 meters) and weighs approximately 93 tons. Built in an old temple under the direction of Priest Joko, the statue was constructed with a door way in the back so that visitors can climb to the top and look out of the Buddha’s head. The Daibutsu as since become one of the most famous statues in the country.

By the turn of the 14th century, the shogunate had begun to lose its grasp on ultimate power. Several invasions by the Mongolian warlord Kublai Khan led to uncertainty among the samurai class, many of whom felt Japan was saved only by a series of typhoons (which came to be known as Kamikaze, or Divine Winds) which sank many Mongol ships and forced the survivors to return home.

By 1333, the Kamakura shogunate was over, defeated by Imperial sympathizers. Ashikaga Takauji assumed control, establishing the Ashikaga shogunate in Kyoto. The subsequent years saw several power struggles take a toll on Kamakura, as several prominent warriors attempted to wrestle control from the Ashikaga.

In the late 1400s, Kamakura was rocked with an earthquake that destroyed the temple complex surrounding the Great Buddha. The temple was not rebuilt, and the statue has remained exposed to the elements ever since.

The growing turmoil led to civil war throughout Japan, during which time Kamakura was sacked and much of the urban center was burnt to the ground. By the end of Ashikaga rule in the 16th century, the city was reduced to little more than a village. Several historic sites were spared, such as the Great Buddha (though the building housing it was destroyed), the world renowned Engaku-ji temple and the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine.

The rise of the Tokugawa clan, presumably descended from the same line as the Minamoto clan, began investing in the city, renovating the ancient temples and supporting economic and commercial growth.

By the end of the 19th century, Kamakura was still a small, dated city, largely dependant on rice farming. The arrival of the Yokosuka rail line in the late 1880s, however, changed the city forever. The line connected Kamakura to the metropolis of Tokyo, and the remote location began to attract the interest of wealthier residents looking for a relaxing vacation hideaway. The city was flooded with celebrities and artists, professionals and the independently wealthy. By the early years of the 20th century, Kamakura was known as a popular resort destination, a claim it proudly maintains to this day.

Kamakura received a gift from Korea in 1934, when the Kangetsudo temple was shipped to the city. It houses a statue of Avalokitesvara dating to the Edo period.

In 1953, the University of Tokyo mounted an archeological dig near the Kamakura beach, discovering the remains of more than 500 bodies, believed to have been the victims of the defeat of the Kamakura shogunate.

In the 1960s, the Daibutsu was suffering from years of exposure, and measures were taken to restore and preserve the historic statue. The neck was reinforced to support the massive head, and the base was modified to allow the statue to move in the event of an earthquake.

Modern Kamakura enjoys a blossoming tourism industry, drawing more than 20 million visitors annually. The city maintains one of the highest concentrations of shrines and temples in the nation, several of them historic sites. Traditional crafts are on display throughout the town, and the location close to Tokyo, Japan’s largest city, ensures Kamakura remains a popular seaside and resort destination.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Climate: The temperatue ranges from 12°C to 20°C (50°F to 70°F). The humidity can be quite high, making the fall the most popular time for travel to the area.

Currency: yen

Languages: Japanese

Power: 100 V, 50 Hz and 60 Hz

Time Zone: UTC/GMT +9 hours

Arriving: For vistors not driving in Japan, there is one main way to reach Kamakura. Japan Rail Lines offers regular service to and from the city. The Japan Rail Super Express train takes a little more than half an hour. Regular train service is less expensive but take more time to arrive.

Transportation: While the official language is Japanese, most attendants speak enough English to help out when needed. Free tourist maps include both Kanji and English writing. Public transit is relatively inexpensive. Unlike Tokyo, fares are for single trip rather than by distance. Fortunately, the city is laid out in a simple grid, making navigation easy.

ATTRACTIONS

Kamakura offers countless important and impressive attractions?, many of them historic and world heritage sites.

RESTAURANTS

LODGING