Drawn to it by Okaji no Kata. The story of Eisho-ji begins with her also known as Eisho-in. It is a tale of courage loyalty and devotion.
Eisho-ji is not just a temple. It is a sanctuary founded in 1636 by a remarkable woman. Her story intertwines with the most influential figures in Japanese history.
Okaji no Kata served as a concubine to Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. She displayed extraordinary bravery when she followed him on horseback into the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Her courage earned her the name Okatsu no Kata. Ieyasu believed that she was Lady Victory. He believed he would be victorious with her on his side.
She accompanied Ieyasu in the Siege of Osaka. Later she became the foster mother to Yorifusa Ieyasu’s eleventh son. After Ieyasu’s death in 1616 Okaji entered nunhood. She prayed for the repose of her former master and lover.
In 1636 Ieyasu’s grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu granted her land. It was where her descendant Ota Dokan had lived. He had served as a senior retainer of the vice-governor of Kamakura. She then had the right to build a convent there. This convent became Eisho-ji.
Eisho-in invited Sarahime Yorifusa’s daughter to be the founding nun. Sarahime took the Buddhist name Gyokuho Sei-in. She was the first of many Mito ladies to lead Eisho-ji.
Eisho-ji stands on the former residence of Ota Dokan. He was a warrior and the builder of the original Edo Castle. The temple’s grounds offer a serene escape. There are flowers trees and a bamboo forest.
The temple’s gate features a floral design which is fitting for a nunnery. Eisho-ji is a Pure Land School of Buddhism temple. Its official name is Tokozan Eisho-ji. It remains the only nunnery in Kamakura today.
Inside the main hall also known as Butsuden are Amida trinity statues. Amida is flanked by Kannon Bosatsu and Seishi Bosatsu. The ceiling paintings depict scenes from the Western Paradise. These images show a dragon celestial maidens and musical instruments. They also depict the Tokugawa and Ota clans’ family crests.
The Sanmon Gate was rebuilt after the Great Kanto Earthquake. A banker named Majima Otohiko restored it. He used original materials from the temple.
The belfry near Somon Gate has an unusual style. It is called hakamagoshi. The lower part of the bell tower resembles a hakama. It is a formal dress of pleated trousers. The bell was cast in 1643.
Eisho-ji is a testament to the strength and devotion of women. Its history is woven into Japan’s rich tapestry. Take a moment to appreciate the legacy of Eisho-in. She was a warrior a concubine and a nun. Her spirit lives on in this peaceful temple.