Kamakura Pilgrimage to Six Sites Devoted to Amida Buddha
Yakuyoke Amida (Amida Who Wards Off Evil) 16th Century, Hase Dera, Kamakura City
Order
Temple
1
Hase-dera Temple 長谷寺. Sixteenth-century seated image of Amida said to ward off evil (Yakuyoke Amida 厄除阿弥陀). Nearly seven meters in height.
2
Kōtokuin Temple 高徳院. Cast in 1252 CE, this giant bronze statue (13.35 meters in height with pedestal) of Amida is the only national treasure in Kamakura.
3
Kōmyōji Temple 光明寺. Thirteenth-century statue of Amida surrounded by two attendants (Kannon and Seishi Bosatsu).
4
Jōkōmyōji Temple 浄光明寺. Thirteenth-century statue of a crowned Amida surrounded by two attendants (Kannon and Seishi Bosatsu).
5
Hōkaiji Temple 宝戒寺. The fourteenth-century hidden image of the elephant-headed Kankiten in the Kankiten Hall is worshipped as a form of Amida.
6
Kōsokuji Temple 光触寺. Thirteenth-century statue known as “Branded-Cheek” Amida (Hoyake Amida 頬焼阿弥陀). Read here about the reason for this curious name. Read here about the reason for this curious name.
When on pilgrimage, it is customary to collect stamps (goshu-in) from each of the sites in a stamp book (nōkyō-chō). Some temples only give stamps, while at others, a temple priest will hand-draw the temple's signature in the pilgrim's book -- these handwritten inscriptions are often very beautiful. When the temple priest is away, the pilgrim must settle for the stamp, but the stamps too are quite artistic. It costs between five hundred to one thousand yen to receive the temple stamp and brush -written inscription.
Big Buddha of Kamakura -- Amida Nyorai Giant bronze statue of Amida Buddha, cast in 1252, and roughly 11.3 meters in height (without pedestal). Above three photos by Mark Schumacher. For more photos, click here.
Hase-dera Temple 長谷寺. Sixteenth-century seated image of Amida said to ward off evil (Yakuyoke Amida 厄除阿弥陀). Nearly seven meters in height. Photo by Mark Schumacher
