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)