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ARCHITECTURE

Hojuin Temple and Kanazawa's Shingon Buddhism: The Amida Triad of the Early Kamakura Period

Hojuin Temple, located in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, belongs to the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism and enshrines Jurojin, the god of longevity from the Kanazawa Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage. Its Amida Triad, crafted in the early Kamakura period, is designated a Yokohama City Tangible Cultural Property.

Contents

MOKUJI

The Form of Prayer: What Is the Amida Triad?

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History of Hojuin and the Omuro School of Shingon Buddhism

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Sculptural Style of the Early Kamakura Period

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Kanazawa's Buddhist Cultural Sphere

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Summary — An Invitation to Visit Hojuin

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Frequently Asked Questions

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The Form of Prayer: What Is the Amida Triad?

The Amida Triad (Amida Sanzon) refers to a three-figure arrangement centered on Amida Nyorai (Amitabha), flanked by Kanzeon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara) on the left and Seishi Bosatsu (Mahasthamaprapta) on the right. Amida Nyorai is also known as “Muryoju” (Infinite Life) and “Muryoko” (Infinite Light), a buddha who has vowed to welcome all sentient beings into the Pure Land. Kanzeon Bosatsu embodies compassion, while Seishi Bosatsu symbolizes wisdom — together, the three figures hold the prayer of guiding all beings to rebirth in paradise.

At Hojuin Temple in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, an Amida Triad believed to have been crafted in the early Kamakura period is enshrined. Designated a Yokohama City Tangible Cultural Property, it stands as a precious legacy of the deep Buddhist faith rooted in the land of Kanazawa.

History of Hojuin and the Omuro School of Shingon Buddhism

The Lineage of Faith Inscribed in Kanazawa

Hojuin belongs to the Omuro school (Omuro-ha) of Shingon Buddhism, whose head temple is Ninnaji in Kyoto — a prestigious monzeki temple founded when Emperor Uda took the tonsure and became its first abbot. As one of its branch temples, Hojuin has long provided a place of prayer in Kanazawa.

Kanazawa Ward was once known as “Musashi Province, Kuraki District, Mutsuura Manor,” governed by the Kanazawa Hojo clan, a branch of the Hojo family. Alongside Shomyoji Temple and other religious establishments that flourished in this area, Hojuin too served as a pillar of local faith.

Kanazawa Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage and Jurojin

Hojuin is one of the sacred sites on the “Kanazawa Shichifukujin Meguri” (Kanazawa Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage), enshrining Jurojin, the deity of longevity, good fortune, and prosperity of descendants. Jurojin is often depicted as an elderly man accompanied by a white deer, embodying the heartfelt wish to live a long and fulfilled life.

Comparison of Shingon Buddhist Schools

Shingon Buddhism was founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) and has branched into several traditions over the centuries. The table below summarizes the main characteristics of three major schools.

School

Head Temple

Founder / Restorer

Main Characteristics

Shingon Omuro-ha

Ninnaji (Kyoto)

Emperor Uda (888) / Kakuho Hosshinnno

Head temple has deep imperial connections; known for the “Omuro cherry blossoms” of Ninnaji

Shingon Buzan-ha

Hasedera (Nara)

Senyo Sojo (revived 1587)

Many branch temples in Kanto; closely connected to Hasedera Kannon worship

Shingon Chisan-ha

Chishakuin (Kyoto)

Genyu Sojo (revived 1601)

Oversees Naritasan Shinshoji and Kawasaki Daishi; deeply tied to popular faith

Sculptural Style of the Early Kamakura Period

From the Jocho Style to Kamakura Realism

The early Kamakura period, when the Amida Triad at Hojuin is believed to have been created, was a pivotal era in Japanese Buddhist sculpture. It was a transitional time moving from the elegant, introspective “Jocho style” established during the Heian period toward the more powerful and realistic “Kamakura new style.”

That these figures have been preserved and venerated in Kanazawa for over eight hundred years speaks volumes — within that continuity lives the prayer of countless people who have pressed their palms together before the image.

Kanazawa’s Buddhist Cultural Sphere

Shomyoji Temple was founded around 1267 as the family temple of the Kanazawa Hojo clan. Its Pure Land-style garden and the adjacent Kanazawa Bunko library are celebrated as evidence of the advanced fusion of samurai and Buddhist culture.

Gumyoji Temple is known as the oldest temple in Yokohama, said to have been founded in the Nara period. While it belongs to a different Shingon tradition (Koyasan Shingon), it shares with Hojuin the mission of preserving the Shingon dharma flame.

The area around Tsurugaoka Hachimangu forms the heart of Kamakura’s religious culture, and Kanazawa, geographically adjacent, sits at the crossroads of that sacred landscape.

Summary — An Invitation to Visit Hojuin

When you stand before the Amida Triad at Hojuin, you come face to face with the prayers of a sculptor from more than eight centuries ago. The three figures, shaped to embody the wish that “all beings may reach the Pure Land,” continue to rest quietly in Kanazawa as a Yokohama City Tangible Cultural Property.

Visiting Tips

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Begin the Kanazawa Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage at Hojuin and proceed to the surrounding temples

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Shomyoji Temple, within walking distance, offers a complementary experience of Kanazawa’s Buddhist heritage

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Learning the Shingon esoteric ritual forms before your visit deepens the experience considerably

Related Spots

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Hojuin — Shingon Omuro-ha, Jurojin of Kanazawa Seven Lucky Gods, Amida Triad (Yokohama City Tangible Cultural Property)

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Shomyoji — Family temple of Kanazawa Hojo, adjacent to Kanazawa Bunko

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Gumyoji — Oldest temple in Yokohama, Koyasan Shingon

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Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Center of Kamakura samurai culture

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Ganjojuin (Izu no Kuni) — Founded by Hojo Tokimasa, renowned for Unkei sculptures

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Hojuin Temple located?

It is located in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama City. The temple is within walking distance of Kanazawa-Hakkei Station and can be visited together with Shomyoji Temple and Kanazawa Bunko.

What is the Kanazawa Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage?

It is a pilgrimage route visiting seven temples in Kanazawa Ward, each enshrining one of the Seven Lucky Gods. At Hojuin, Jurojin — the god of longevity and good fortune — is enshrined. The pilgrimage is open year-round, though it is particularly lively during the New Year season.

How does the Shingon Omuro school differ from other Shingon schools?

The Omuro school’s head temple is Ninnaji in Kyoto, a monzeki temple of imperial lineage founded by Emperor Uda after his abdication. While sharing Kukai’s esoteric teachings with the Buzan and Chisan schools, the Omuro school is distinguished by its deep imperial connections and high ceremonial prestige.

Last updated: May 22, 2026

Bugenji Temple, a historic temple in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, where the Buddhist dharma flame has been passed down since ancient times.