Kamakura

Wednesday was our day trip to Kamakura. We visited three different sites – Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura Daibutsu (Giant Buddha), and Hasedera Temple. My small group (Group 6 – Kotatsu!) was led by Noriko-san. She did a great job explaining the historical background and cultural significance of the things we saw. According to Noriko, Kamakura is a popular place for all generations – older people go to appreciate the history while the younger crowds surf the waves!

Group photo at Hasedera Temple

A sad part of the trip was when Noriko shared about the Ginkgo tree that use to stand next to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Earlier this March the tree collapsed due to strong winds. (It happened in the morning so no one was hurt.) The tree was over 1000 years old and was well known for its beautiful golden leaves during autumn. It also served as a hiding place for monk Kugyou when he assassinated Minamoto no Sanetomo. Apparently people all over Japan were mourning its fall and in general it was a very surprising, unexpected occurrence. Noriko said that all they can do is try to sprout a new tree from the left over trunk.

I know this is a stretch but imagine the wind carried away every single piece of bread on earth. For the Christian practice of communion, bread is highly significant and symbolic. Bread has always been a part of the tradition. You don't expect it to ever be missing but now it is. Shocking? Yes. Could you imagine it happening? No. But it did. There is definitely the feeling of an empty gap.

Gingko tree right after it fell. Now only the trunk remains.

The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine itself is said to be a place of good luck. I think the guy that had it built was victorious in many battles so now people come here to pray when they desire victory over something. There is a nice path that leads up to the shrine - normally it's an 8 minute walk but on New Years Day it can take up to 2 hours! Talk about popular!

Going up to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Temple. They let people up in waves so it looks really crowded here.

Here is the lunch we were provided. Chicken karaage, miso soup, and tofu. The tofu was so soft and silky! The restaurant played Arashi's newest single "Troublemaker" during lunch.

Yum!

Next up was the Daibutsu Buddha. He was pretty huge! The balls on his head are suppose to be curls of hair, which represents wisdom. He also has one curl on his forehead - super wisdom I guess. We also got to go inside of him for 10 yen. Yes, he's hollow and I was told that they reinforced the inside by the neck area for earthquake protection. Noriko said that he looks the best at this angle so I snapped a shot of his good side.

No one knows if he's opening or closing his eyes, but he can always see you!

Finally we went to the Hasedera Temple. A large statue of the Buddhist god Kannon is said to have washed ashore near Kamakura and now they have it enshrined here. The founder of Canon (cameras) named the company and designed their first logo with this god in mind in hopes of the company expanding across the world. (and it has!) 

Although Hasedera is a Buddhist site, there is also a small Shinto shrine in a cave on its grounds. Inside there was one part where you could purchase a small statue for making a wish. I though that all of these little guys hanging off the larger wall carving was an amusing sight. Sorry but the picture is a bit dark.

There were a lot more on the ground.

Thanks for showing us around, Noriko! All of the tour guides for our group were volunteers so we really appreciated their expertise and enthusiasm for Kamakura!

After the tour some friends and I walked around a street lined with shops. One of the stores was dedicated to tons of amazingly cute 300 yen phone straps! In Japan people pimp out their phones with these things so I couldn't resist...

This little guy will dangle from my phone from now on.

Today (Friday) is the Japanese placement test! I'm a bit nervous but hopefully it will turn out okay... I also realize that TCF's second ever Encounter is also happening "today" (Thursday night in the states). Good luck to everyone that has a hand in it - I'm sure God has great things planned. I want to hear stories!