Kencho-ji Temple

Kencho-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Kencho-ji ranks first among Kamakura's so-called Five Great Zen Temples (the Kamakura Gozan) and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. These temples were at the top of the Five Mountain System, a network of Zen temples started by the Hojo Regents.

Still very large, it originally had the full seven halls (shichido garan) composing the ideal Buddhist temple compound and 49 subtemples.

The temple was constructed on the orders of Emperor Go-Fukakusa and completed in 1253, fifth year of the Kencho era, from which it takes its name. It was founded by Rankei Doryu, a Chinese Zen master who moved to Japan in 1246, spending some years in Kyushu and Kyoto before coming to Kamakura.

Near the end of the temple's garden, over a hill stands the Hansobo, the temple's large tutelary Shinto shrine. The enshrined spirit is the Hansobo Daigongen.

Kencho-ji Temple map.
Kencho-ji originally consisted of the full seven halls (shichido garan) composing the ideal Buddhist temple compound and 49 subtemples.

But most of these were lost in fires in the 14th and 15th centuries.
It still is a classic example of a Zen garan with its buildings aligned north to south.
The complex currently consists of ten subtemples.

Outer Gate (Somon).
The Outer Gate (Somon) is where the ticket booths are.

It was moved here from the Hanju Zanmai-in temple in Kyoto.

Cherry trees along the approach to Kencho-ji Temple.
The Stamp Counter is to the left.

Main Gate (Sanmon).
The Main Gate (Sanmon) was built in 1754 with donations from all over the Kanto region.

According to a popular legend, a raccoon dog (tanuki) helped raise the money transforming himself into a monk to repay the kindness of the temple's priests.
For this reason, even today the Main Gate (Sanmon) is often called Tanuki Gate (Tanuki-mon).

Temple Bell (Bonsho).
The Temple Bell (Bonsho) was cast in 1255.

It is a National Treasure.

Buddha Hall (Butsuden).
The Buddha Hall (Butsuden) was moved to Kamakura from Zojo-ji in Tokyo in 1647.

It enshrines the principal image of Kencho-ji, Jizo Bosatsu (a bodhisattva who vows to save all living beings from Heaven to Hell and bring them to Buddhahood).

Dharma Hall (Hatto).
The Dharma Hall (Hatto) was built in 1814.

The Dharma Hall (Hatto) is where public ceremonies are held.
It is the largest Buddhist wooden structure in Eastern Japan.
It is currently dedicated to Senju Kannon (a Kannon who has a great work to save from confusion and gain enlightenment).

Dragon on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall (Hatto).
A recent ceiling painting by Koizumi Junsaku (2003) portraying a dragon decorates the ceiling of the Dharma Hall (Hatto).

For this reason, the Dharma Hall (Hatto) is often called Dragon King Hall (Ryuo-den).

Monastery.
The Monastery, where monks are trained in meditation, is permanently closed to the public.

It consists of a Meditation Hall (Zen-do), of a Founder's Hall (Kaisan-do, a hall enshrining the temple's founder) and of the administrative offices.

Grand Gate (Karamon).
The Grand Gate (Karamon) was brought here from Zojo-ji together with the Buddha Hall (Butsuden).

Head priest's living quarters (Hojo).
The Head priest's living quarters (Hojo) also moved from the Hanju Zanmai-in in Kyoto.

Head priest's living quarters (Hojo) is used for religious ceremonies.

Mind Character Pond (Shin-ji Ike).
The large Zen garden behind the Head priest's living quarters (Hojo) is called Mind Character Pond (Shin-ji Ike). Is shaped like the Chinese character for Mind.