Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha of Kamakura), Kanagawa

“Kotokuin Temple” in Hase, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a temple with “Great Buddha of Kamakura” which can be said symbol of the city. The principal object of worship of Kotokuin Temple is designated as a national treasure, and the whole area of the precinct is a spot designated as a national historic site.
Great Buddha of Kamakura is also known as “Great Buddha of Hase”. It is designated as a national treasure with the excellent technique and formative beauty of the Kamakura period, but it is a colossal Buddha that has not been elucidated yet with few records at the time. Moreover, “Kotokuin Temple” also seems to be unknown related to the foundation, age, and colossal Buddha.
Although there are various theories, it is said that it was MINAMOTO no Yoritomo which was planned to build Great Buddha of Kamakura, the first Shogunate General of the Kamakura Shogunate. When they visited Great Buddha of Nara, they were touched by their wonderfulness and it seems that they thought about building in Kamakura. However, according to “Azuma Kagami” which is the history book of Japan in the Kamakura period, actually the establishment began in 1238, after Minamoto no Yoritomo died. And it is said that it was completed in 1243, the first being built is wooden statue of Great Buddha, which is twice as high as 24 meters in height. However, the wooden statue of Great Buddha collapsed in a storm and it seems that the casting of the statue of Great Buddha in Kamakura of about 11.3 meters in height and about 121 tons in weight was started in 1252.
Also, although it was devastated in the middle of the Edo period, it seems that after that, the magician representing the Edo period revived with the help of merchants.
A very valuable national treasure cultural property that remains in the present after a long period of more than 760 years is covered with oxidized copper called “aerugo”. You can see excellent sculpture incorporating the Chinese style of Song Dynasty and techniques of casting.
The worshiping time in the precincts of Kotokuin Temple is from 8 o’clock to 17 o’clock from October to March and from 8 o’clock to 17:30 from April to September. Also, the admission fee is 200 yen for adults and 150 yen for primary school students.
The nearest station of Kotokuin Temple is Hase Station of the Enoshima Electric Railway. From Hase Station you will arrive on foot within 10 minutes. Moreover, it is about 30 minutes on foot from Kamakura Station, about 1.7 kilometers away. Since the area in front of Kamakura station is a commercial area with a lot of highlights, walking strolls are a good idea.

Designated as a National Historic Site

There are many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples with the history in Kamakura, among them, speaking of the famous place representing Kamakura, it is “Kotokuin Temple” with Kamakura Daibutsu (great statue of Buddha). Along with a great statue of Buddha of Nara, it is one of the great statues of Buddha on behalf of Japan.
It is the only national treasure in Kamakura, and is designated a National Historic Site as the site on which the Hall of Great Buddha once stood.

The figure is forcible

About 10 minutes from the Hase station of Enoshima Dentetsu line, “Kotokuin Temple” is the famous temple located in popular area in Kamakura.
The Amitabha image of the principal idol is famous as “Kamakura great statue of Buddha” or “a great statue of Buddha of Hase”, but the highlight of this temple is not only Great Buddha.
When I visited Kotokuin Temple, the building which appears first is a “Deva gate.” It is said that the “two-Deva-kings image” installed in the inside of the gate was moved from the other place at the beginning of the 18th century. The figure is forcible and it is impressive.

The construction was started in 1252

The history of Great Buddha still has many obscure points, and is wrapped in the mystery. According to “Azuma Kagami” (a history book published during the Kamakura period), it seems to be 1252 that construction was started. It has been surrounded by the huge Halls of the Great Buddha, but the Great Buddha was left sitting in the open air by the later natural disaster.

The size is suitable for just calling it “Great Buddha”

It is about 11.39 meters in height (Including the pedestal of it, approximately 13.35 meters), and weight is about 121 tons. The size is suitable for just calling it “Great Buddha”, and those who see are overwhelmed.

The sightseeing spot which right represents Kamakura

Not to mention “Kamakura great statue of Buddha” giving off overwhelming presence, in addition to it, Kotokuin Temple has many highlights, and it is the sightseeing spot which right represents Kamakura. Please drop in, when you visit Kamakura. It is the recommended spot.

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