① There is Hondo(Yakushi-do Hall）
It is said that the Yakushido Hall was built in 1218 by Hojo Yoshitoki(the second regent of the Kamakura Shogunate).
[It is said that the Dog God (also known as Basara Taisho, one of the 12 divine generals) appeared in Hojo Yoshitoki’s dream , which prompted him to build the Yakushido Hall.]
In 1296, Hojo Sadatoki (the 9th regent of the Kamakura Shogunate) prayed for the Mongol invasion to be prevented again,and invited Chikai Shin’e to rebuild this Yakushido as “Kakuon-ji Temple” .
(If you want to know more about Chikai Shin’e ,Click Here)
There are various theories, but according to the Azuma Kagami and Kakuonji Engi, the Dog God, one of the 12 divine generals, appeared in a dream to Hojo Yoshitoki(the second regent of the Kamakura Shogunate).
The Dog God told him, ” This year was safe, but next year, it would be better not to join the procession when the Shogun visits the shrine.”
Hojo Yoshitoki was surprised and built the Yakushido Hall to be protected by the 12 divine generals .
The following year, a ceremony was held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to celebrate Minamoto no Sanetomo (the third Shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate) as the Minister of the Right.Hojo Yoshitoki also attended, but due to poor health he asked Minamoto no Nakaaki to take his place.However, Minamoto no Nakaaki, who acted as a substitute, was killed by Kugyo (the third son of Minamoto no Yoriie, the second Shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate) along with Minamoto no Sanetomo.
Hojo Yoshitoki wondered if the dog god had warned him about this and helped him.
So when Hojo Yoshitoki visited the Okura Yakushido to express his gratitude, he heard that for some reason, the dog god, one of the 12 divine generals, had disappeared since the time of the incident . Therefore, it became known that the dog god of the 12 divineg enerals had protected Hojo Yoshitoki from disaster.
The main hall is
① a straw-thatched, hipped-roofed (a Japanese architectural style with a roof that slopes in four directions);
② although it is not a Zen temple, it is built in the “ Zenshu-yo “(Zen-sect-style) (one of Japan’s traditional architectural styles. An architectural style that was introduced from China, Northern Song Dynasty)
③” five spaces” (There are five walls on the front and sides and pillars on each side)
① It is said that Emperor Godaigo used Kakuon-ji Temple as a “kiganji (A temple where people make wishes to Buddha is called a prayer temple.）
② It is said that the Ashikaga clan used Kakuon-ji Temple as a ” kiganji “
③ It is said that the Hojo clan (Kamakura Shogunate and regents) worshipped it .
The temple grounds are a national historic site.
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① There is the principal image Yakushi Nyorai(Bhaisajyagur,Medicine Buddha)
It is a national important cultural property.
(If you want to know more about Yakushi Nyorai(Bhaisajyagur,medicine Buddha),Click Here)
② There is Nikko Bosatsu.
It is a national important cultural property.
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③ There is Gakko Bosatsu
It is a national important cultural property.
④ There is 12 divine generals
Each has an animal of the zodiac on its head.
They are a national important cultural property .
⑤ There is Amida Buddha.
It was the principal image of Richikoji Temple.”
It is an abandoned temple that was located in Nikaido, Kamakura City.
(If you want to know more about Amida Buddha ,Click Here)
