"Ichinomiya" (lit. first shrine) ・・・This represents the shrine with the highest rank in a certain region during the late Heian period.
A certain region refers to a province (area) defined under the Ritsuryo system. At that time, the provincial governors appointed in each province would visit shrines in order of rank: Ichinomiya, Ninomiya, Sannomiya, etc.
'Kamakura-jussei' (ten water wells in Kamakura)・・・This refers to wells in Kamakura that have good quality water or are steeped in legends.
Kara Hafu (literally, Tang gable)・・・The roof shape is gently curved.
Pilgrimage to the 13 Buddhas of Kamakura・・・By pilgrimaging the Thirteen Buddhas, you are praying for the repose of the deceased. It is also said that pilgrimaging the Thirteen Buddhas is a way of accumulating good deeds. It is believed that by accumulating these good deeds, one can be saved from the judgment of the Thirteen Kings after death, and be reborn into a better world in the next life.
As a result, belief in the Thirteen Buddhas became popular, and even today there are many Thirteen Buddha sacred sites all over Japan.
Kamakura Gozan(Kamakura Gozan Temples)・・・(This indicates the status of Zen temples.)
This is a ranking system for temples in the Rinzai sect. There are five mountains in Kyoto and Kamakura, and Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto is ranked above the five mountains.
Kanjo(transfer) ・・・It refers to moving the incarnation or spirit of a god or Buddha to another place and enshrining it anew.
Kie(convert)・・・To have faith.
Kiganji ・・・A temple where people make wishes to Buddha is called a prayer temple.
Kiganjo ・・・A shrine where people make wishes to the gods is called a prayer place.
Kenzoku・・・It refers to those who follow the Buddha.
kokerabuki (roofed with shingles)・・・This construction method involves stacking thin boards multiple times, and is a traditional architectural craftsmanship technique that has been registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
In this building, you can see the sloping roof and curvature of the eaves of fan rafters, an architectural style that was introduced from China during the Kamakura period, and the straight vertical lines of the Katomado window frames.
A national treasure ・・・Based on the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, the government (the Minister of Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) has determined that these three categories of ① buildings, ② arts and crafts, and ③ documents are of high value and worthy of protection, and these are called national important cultural properties.
Among these national important cultural properties, those that are particularly valuable are called National Treasures.
Godai Myoo (Five Great Acala)・・・
Fudo Myoo, Gozanze Myoo, Daiitoku Myoo, Gundari Myoo, Kongoyasha Myoo
Gomagyo(Goma Ceremony)・・・
This refers to training that involves chanting the mantra of Kokuzo Bosatsu one million times over a period of 100 days.
It is said that by undergoing this training, one will be able to understand all Buddhist scriptures.
Goma ceremony is held on the 13th of January, May, and September.
Sanzon-zo・・・In a triad, the Buddha in the center is called (A) Syuzon(the main Buddha.) And the Buddhas on either side are called (B) Kyoji(the attendant Buddhas.)
The attendant Buddhas are solely there to assist the main Buddha.
National Important Cultural Assets・・・Based on the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, the government (Minister of Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) has determined that national important cultural properties are of high value and worthy of protection in the following three categories: ① buildings, ② art and crafts, and ③ documents.
Among these national important cultural properties, those with particularly high value are called national treasures.
Siseki(Historic Sites)・・・This refers to places where historically important events or facilities occurred, designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. (Shell mounds, castle ruins, settlement sites, ancient tombs, and other ruins)
Shigo・・・These are names given to people after they have passed away.
Or they are names given to nobles, monks, etc. to praise their deeds while they were alive.
Jibutsudo・・・Buddha statues for daily worship
shoin-zukuri(shoin' style house)・・・This is a residential style in which the Shoin is at the center of the building.
Shinbutsushugo(Syncretization of Shinto with Buddhism)・・・The religion that originated naturally and indigenous to the ethnic groups in Japan is called (A) Shinto.On the other hand, (B) Buddhism is a religion that was introduced from the continent in the 6th century.
Shinbutsu shugo is the mixing and combination of these two different religions, Shinto and Buddhism.This can be seen, for example, in shrines that have mountain gates and Buddhist statues, and temples that have shrines within their grounds.Shinbutsu shugo continued until the end of the Edo period.
Shinbutsubunri(separation of Buddhism and Shintoism)・・・This refers to the policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism proclaimed by the Meiji government. It was a religious policy aimed at realizing the political ideals of the Meiji Restoration - the restoration of the monarchy and the unity of religion and politics - and it became a policy of protecting Shinto and suppressing Buddhism.
This led to the radical Haibutsu Kishaku movement, in which Buddha statues, monk statues, sutra scrolls, and other items were removed from shrines.
The separation of Shinto and Buddhism was carried out immediately after the Meiji Restoration.
Zenshu-yo (Zen-sect-style)・・・It is one of Japan's traditional architectural styles. It is an architectural style that was introduced from China (Northern Song Dynasty).
Danka・・・It means belonging to a specific temple and providing financial support in exchange for having funerals and memorial services performed at that temple.
chokugan-ji (temple built at the order of the emperor) ・・・This refers to temples and shrines that were built by the emperors or retired emperors of the time to pray for the protection of the nation and the prosperity of the imperial family.
Registered Tangible Cultural Properties・・・These are tangible cultural properties that are registered in the cultural property register upon application by the owner themselves.
There are two types: buildings and art and craft objects. (National treasures and important cultural properties are designated by the state, not by the owner.)
Byosyo(mausoleum)・・・This is a graveyard where the spirits are enshrined.
Tatchu (minor temple in the site of main temple) ・・・This refers to the graves of high priests, etc.
Bodaiji ・・・This refers to a temple where ancestors have worshipped and where the mortuary tablets of their ancestors are kept. It is also sometimes called a bodaisho.
yosemune-zukuri ・・・a Japanese architectural style with a roof that slopes in four directions
Yagura・・・ It is a horizontal cavern type cavern dug into the slope of a mountain, which is unique to the Kamakura region.