Hojo Tsunetoki, the founding patron of the temple, commissioned the founding priest Kishu Zenji Nenna Ryochu to found Komyo ji as the head temple of the Kanto region in 1240. It is a prestigious temple, ranking as the number one among the Kanto Juhachi Danrin Jodo sect temples during the Edo Period. Butsuden – the Main Hall – was built in 1698 and Sanmon – the Main Gate was built in 1847.
Next to the Main Hall it has a rock garden named Raigo in honor of Amida Nyorai.
Sanmon – Main Gate – I found this gate built in 1847 gorgeous. It a prefectural important cultural asset. I was surprised to see people upstairs and then I was delighted to find out that it is now open to visitors. I did not hesitate a second and headed thereSanmon – Main Gate – upper floor interior. Blue-black hair of the Buddhas is one of the 32 signs of a Great Man. These statues are called Shaka Sanzon or Shakyamuni Trinity as shaka means Gautama Buddha, Shakyamuni, and sanzon means image of the three honorable ones. These three statues represent Shaka, Monju Bosatsu and Fugen Bosatsu. Sanmon – the Main Gate – interior. There are also the 16 Arhats or Rakans statues seated there, 8 on each side of the Buddhas. I found them so interesting that I had to dedicate one whole article to them – see my article THE SIXTEEN ARHATS OR RAKANSThe view from the upper part of the Main Gate – there are koinobori = carp streamers – on the house and Mt. Fuji – covered with white snow, can be slightly seen at the back. Koinobori are prepared for the children´s festival on 5th MayButsuden – the Main Hall built in 1698 is the largest modern Buddhist temple that is still standing in Kamakura and is a national important cultural asset. Look at that roof! I find it gorgeous! It seems to be so simple and at the same time it is so dominant, that it can be easily deciphered from the other end of the beach, tooThe entrance part of the Main HallThe Main Hall – interiorRock garden named Raigo in honor of Amida Nyorai. There are eight rocks there – the upper three in green bushes are three Buddhas. With its peacefulness it remembered me to the rock garden in the Ryoanji temple in Kyoto. However this time, instead of meditating, I spent most of my time talking to a lady from Taiwan who is a teacher of tea ceremony, so talking to her was very interesting
