Hase-dera (Kamakura)
The Hase- dera (Japanese长 谷 寺), formerly called Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera (Japanese海 光山 慈 照 院长 谷 寺), is one of the great Buddhist temple in Kamakura. The temple is known for its statue of Kannon made of solid wood, the Hase Kannon (长 谷 観 音) is called and transmit the temple also. He is one of the 33 temples on the pilgrimage route Bandō Sanjūsankasho, the Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, is dedicated. Originally he belonged to the Tendai shū, but today is a temple of Jōdo shū.
Kannon statue
The statue of Kannon of Hase- dera is with a size of 9.18 m, the largest statue of Kannon in Japan. It was carved out of solid Kampherholz and decorated with gold plating. The 11 heads represent the different stages in search of enlightenment. The statue is also known under the name Hase Kannon.
The statue is unique in that it in his right hand and holding a metal rod in his left hand a vase with a lotus flower.
According to legend, this Kannon is one of two statues that were carved by a monk named Tokudo in 721. The tree should have been so great that it was decided to make two statues of him. A statue was enshrined in Hase- dera in Nara, in the former province of Yamato. The other was allowed to float on the open sea. You should find yourself a place with which you stood Karma in conjunction. The statue was on June 18 ( 736 ) washed up in the 8th year Tempyo in Nagai on the Miura Peninsula near Kamakura. The statue was recovered and brought to Kamakura. Here then erected the temple of Hase- dera and schreinte a statue.
In the first year Koei ( 1342 ) Ashikaga Takauji should have added the gold applications. In the third year Meitoku ( 1392 ) should have Ashikaga Yoshimitsu complements the saints wreath.
Temple grounds
The Hase- dera is built on a mountain slope. The buildings are located on two levels on a slope. From the upper level offers an a good view over the bay of Kamakura.
The lowest level is the entrance, the wooden gate ( Sanmon ) is decorated with a huge lantern. Just inside the entrance is a pond behind the stairs start to the second level. Right next to the pond lies the grotto Benten - kutsu and the Benten - dō. Both are dedicated to the canon of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese mythology, the deity Benzaiten ( Benten ), goddess of the sea and only female deity. In the cave there are many small figures of Benten as a sacrifice.
On the way up to the second level there is a Inari Shrine. Here you also find the Jizō - dō and hundreds of small Jizō statues. In the past they have been set by parents. Jizō is the patron deity of children. He should watch over the young. Today, the statues of parents who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion come. Jizō to watch over the souls of the dead children. The statues remain for a year at their place. They are then buried or burned to make way for new statues space. Since the Second World War, over 50,000 figures have already been set up.
In the upper level is the main building of the temple, the Kannon - dō. Here is also the statue of Kannon mentioned. To the right is the Amida - dō, a hall in which an Amida statue is located. The hall was of Minamoto no Yoritomo ( 1147-99 ) erricht to his forty-second birthday (the year is considered bad luck year for men ). To the left of the Kannon - dō the Hōmotsukan closes at a museum. Here findings can be visited, which were found during the restoration of the temple. A little off the left of it you will find a small bamboo grove and the Kyozo. There is a rotatable wooden shelf ( Rinzo called ) in which the sutras of the temple are kept. It is said that the rotation of the Kyozo the same effect as that of the reading of the Sutras.
Beside it is a small restaurant with a terrace, Choon - file, from which one has a good view over the bay of Kamakura. From the top level starts a short tour into the mountainside. Here bloom in June and July hydrangeas.
Pilgrimage
The Hase- dera of Kamakura is one of the Bandō Sanjūsankasho, a pilgrimage, dedicated to the goddess Kannon. As the name suggests, is the pilgrimage of 33 temples. The Hasedera is the fourth temple in the list.
Pictures
Jizō statues
Writing tablets in Hasedera
View over the bay of Kamakura
Location and accessibility
The Hasedera located in the southwest of Kamakura, near the railway station of the rabbit Enoden railway line. It is located about 500 meters from the temple Kōtoku - in away where the Daibutsu is to find (the large statue of Buddha ) of Kamakura.
The address is: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura -shi, Kanagawa-ken, 248-0018, Japan The temple grounds is the Öfftlichkeit von 8:00 bis 17:30 clock ( From October to February only until 16:30 clock ) accessible.