Jochiji Temple
Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan
Jochiji was founded in 1283 by members of the ruling Hojo family on the occasion of the premature death of a son. Once a large temple complex with many buildings and subtemples, Jochiji is now small and calm. In its main hall, the Dongeden, the temple's main object of worship, a Buddhist trinity of the Amida Buddha, Shaka Buddha and Miroku Buddha, is displayed.
Contents
7 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:46
Welcome to Jochiji, the fourth-ranked temple of the prestigious Kamakura Gozan, or 'Five Great Zen Temples.' While its neighbors, Engaku-ji and Kencho-ji, are known for their grand scale and imposing structures, Jochiji is…
Listen in the app2The Stone Steps and Kanromon Gate1:26
The journey into Jochiji begins with the ascent of its iconic stone steps. These stairs are a quintessential image of Kamakura, representing the passage of time and the patient endurance of the Zen tradition. …
Listen in the app3Butsuden — The Hall of the Three Buddhas1:25
The main hall of Jochiji, the Butsuden, is home to a significant set of statues: the Sanze-butsu, or the Buddhas of the Three Worlds. These three figures represent Amida (the Buddha of the Past), Shaka (the Buddha of the…
Listen in the app4The Shoin and the Ancient Forest1:23
Beyond the main hall, we find the Shoin, a beautiful building with a thatched roof that serves as a study and community space for the monks. Jochiji’s current head priest has emphasized that the temple should function as a…
Listen in the app5Hotei Statue — The God of Good Fortune1:21
No visit to Jochiji is complete without meeting the statue of Hotei, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Located in a small, damp grotto toward the back of the grounds, this stone statue depicts the famously cheerful,…
Listen in the app6The Yagura Caves and Tanuki Statues1:28
As we explore the periphery of the temple, we encounter more of the distinctive Yagura caves that define the Kamakura landscape. At Jochiji, some of these caves house unique statues and markers, including figures of Tanuki—the…
Listen in the app7Closing1:21
As we descend the mossy stone steps and leave the enchanted valley of Jochiji, we carry with us a sense of the 'big magic' that this 'small temple' possesses. We have walked past the 'Sweet Dew' of the Kanromon, stood before the…
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What is Jochiji Temple?
Jochiji Temple is a place in Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan with 7 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 7 |
| Total length | 10 min 10 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.3335, 139.5465 |
| Last updated |
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