Kamakura/Enoshima part 2

In 1192 after the war with the Taira clan, Minamoto Yoritomo moved the capital from Kyoto too Kamakura. His government was called Kamakura Bakufu, it lasted until 1333. During this period of time many temples statues and shrines were built to honor Buddah and other entities. Perhaps the most famous in Kamakura is the Daibutsu( Big Buddah).

Daibutsu(Near the statues base, were people honoring the Tsunami victims, it was the anniversary.

Weighing in at 121 tonnes and 43.8 feet high it was said to have been built in 1252AD. After its predecessor  a wooded statue was destroyed in a storm. This statue was subsequently damaged in 1923 by the Great Kanto Earthquake, it fell on its side and needed support braces to repair it.

It costed only a nickel to go inside the Dai-Butsu! My teacher told me at one time it was the home to Bandits and vagabonds.

Kamakura(Obama visited here) They named an ice cream after him.

The island on the Far right is Enoshima, a 25 minute beach side trolley ride from here.

Hokokuji Temple- Famous for its Bamboo and Rock Garden. I saw Bamboo a foot thick here.

A graveyard inside a Cave at the temple. The Japanese have a complicated method of burial, the first burn the body place the ashes in a 3 foot deep grave at a temple. Then they dig it up after a few years and lay the ashes at the families burial site. I believe this keeps evil ghosts out of their families site.

A bell is inside this housing. I asked the monks how many times a day they ring this bell. They laughed thinking it was funny. They ring it only once a year i believe, for new years.  I was thinking of church bell houses, ring at noon and before to dismiss and call a service.

A shrine situated on an island.

Backside to a Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Hachimangu Shrine(Here a samurai style conspiracy murder took place) Next to an old white tree, which fell in a storm last year.

Ginko tree that stood for a 1000 years, after its collapse scientists took small clippings and planted them next to it.

Shrine for dead children(each statue represents an actual child)

Kamakura/Enoshima(School trip)

Enoshima a small local resort island off the coast of the Fujisawa, is a great place to get away for the day. Complete with delicious ice cream, local seafood specialties and an arraignment of temples of shrines, it makes a fun experience. It is also very popular for young couples. They sometimes bring lockets and write each other love notes on them and lock it to a fence. The island was also home to Samuel Cocking a British merchant. Samuel built a botanical garden featuring man European and tropical plants.

Entrance to Enoshima(600 meter Bridge)

Looking back toward the bridge.(Hawks in the sky)In Enoshima instead of pigeons they have wild hawks, they swoop down and steal your food!

Guardian to the Temple

Enoshima Shrine

Walking past the hoop(Shrine for Benten-Goddess of Enoshima) a wish is granted when you walk through a wish is granted. Also washing your coins here may bring you wealth.

Shrine of Love

i

American KCP students

Town of Kawagoe(川越市)

Fires, earthquakes, world wars and an insatiable appetite for urban renewal have combined to ensure that you won’t see many hints of Tokyo’s past in the present-day city. But just 40 minutes to the north lies Kawagoe(town of plentiful rivers), a delightful old merchant town that offers a window into a bygone era.There’s no shortage of cities in Japan describing themselves as “little Kyoto” or “little Edo,” and this is one of them.

Fire proof/theft proof shutters.

Re-erected fire tower, first one burned down 200 years before. Used as a fire bell.

Kawagoe is also famous for there sweet potato's, sold at small vendors that cook them slowly on coals right on the sweet  They also have sweet potato ice cream which is quite delicious.

Sumo

Entrance to the  Ryogoku Sumo Stadium

Near Tokyo Bay, the town of Sumida hosts the most famous sumo Stadium the Ryogoku Kokugikan. It can fit nearly 13,000, viewers. My Japanese language school and i had the chance to see a Sumo match, along with a hair cutting ceremony, which symbolizes a wrestler leaving the Stable.

Sumo Wrestler Holding a kid for a Picture

Before the match.

f

Mysterious floating roof.

Hair cutting ceremony, lasted over an hour all of his sponsors had to cut his hair.

Soon after my camera ran out of battery's,