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神奈川県
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Shochojuin Ruins
神奈川県
Ruins of the grandest temple Yoritomo built to mourn his father Yoshitomo — a National Historic Site
Founded
1185
Type
Historic Site
Visited
Want to go
Access
20 min walk from JR Kamakura Station East Exit
4-chome Yukinoshita (near Omidobashi bridge), Kamakura, Kanagawa
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Info
Historic Site
Founded 1185
841 years
Enshrined Deity
阿弥陀如来
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かつて
Buddhist Sect
Shingon (formerly)
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Overview
The ruins of a grand temple built by Yoritomo to pray for the repose of his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo.
Origins
Shochojuin was a grand temple founded in 1185 by Minamoto no Yoritomo to pray for the repose of his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo. Belonging to the Shingon sect, it boasted an extensive complex with an Amida Triad as its principal image, making it one of the largest temples in Kamakura. It is said t…
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Divine Benefits
Purification
Rebirth in Pure Land
Cleansing impurity, spiritual purification, driving away evil. Rooted in misogi ablutions and goma fire rites.
Derived from the enshrined deity "阿弥陀如来（かつて）"

人
Related Figures
— 1

Minamoto no Yoritomo
First Shogun of Kamakura
Age 38 at founding
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In 1185, Yoritomo built Shochojuin to honor his father Yoshitomo. As one of the largest temples in Kamakura, its grand halls demonstrated the prestige of the shogunate and served as the Minamoto family temple, symbolizing Yoritomo's deep filial piety.
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