Tokeiji Temple in Winter & Summer

 

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Tokeiji Entrance Stub

Tokeiji Temple 東慶寺 in Kita Kamakura (also called Kakekomi-dera 駆け込み寺). This latter term is translated as “refuge temple” or “shelter for battered women” or “divorce temple.” The temple is still known most widely as the divorce temple. During the Kamakura period, women could seek shelter and sanctuary here from their husbands. The term "Kakekomi" is a common phrase used to denote a last-minute rush, as when people dash to get on a departing train in the final second. So the nickname Kakekomi-dera is appropriate, for it connotes women dashing to get away from their husbands. This temple was originally founded by Mino no Tsubone, a kinswoman of Yoritomo Minamoto. It was re-established in 1285 by the wife of Tokimune, sixth Hojo regent during the Kamakura era, and served as a nunnery until recent times. Click any photo below to begin the tour. The winter photos were taken Jan. 21, 2006.

Inari Shrine

Steps to Tokeiji

Steps to Tokeiji

Inari Shrine nearby

Steps to Tokeiji

Steps to Tokeiji

Entrance Gate

Welcome Path

Building

Entrance Gate

Welcome Path

Building

Snow Buddha

Blessings

Blessings

Snow Buddha

Blessings

Blessings

Next level

Gravestone

White Jizo

Next level

Praying Gravestone

White Jizo Statues

Jizo

Memorials

Graveyard

Memorials

Memorials

Life After Death

Jizo

Rest in Peace

Scene

Jizo

Rest in Peace

Flower-Blooming Jizo

Stairway

Pagoda

Museum

Stairway

Pagoda

Museum

Museum Entrance

Exiting Tokeiji

April 2005

Museum Entrance

Exiting Tokeiji Temple

April 2005 Tokeiji

April 2005

April 2005

April 2005

April 2005 Tokeiji

April 2005 Tokeiji

April 2005 Tokeiji

April 2005

April 2005

April 2005

April 2005 Tokeiji

April 2005 Tokeiji, JIZO

April 2005 Tokeiji

April 2005

April 2005

April 2005 Tokeiji

April 2005 Tokeiji

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOKEIJI

Says scholar Robert Morrell: "In one Edo-period sketch dating from 1685 (a good year, what with Sebastian Bach, Hakuin Zenji, and all) the only item prominently missing today is the central Buddha Hall. Burned down?  Nope. In 1907 some wealthy connoisseur moved it lock, stock, and barrel to the Sankeien Garden in Yokohama, where it is carefully preserved. Well worth a visit."

In July 2006, a new book entitled "Zen Sanctuary of Purple Robes: Japan's Tokeiji Convent since 1285" is planned for release by SUNY press in Albany. The book was written by Prof. Morrell and his wife Sachiko Morrell.

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