Visit Kamakura: Hydrangea in Hydrangea Temple, Ajisai Tera, Meigestu-in, in Kamakura

Visit Kamakura: Hydrangea in Hydrangea Temple, Ajisai Tera, Meigestu-in, in Kamakura

 

Visit Kamakura: あじさい寺のあじさい

 

鎌倉の明月院という寺院は、地元では「あじさい寺」という名前で呼ばれている。

 

Temple of Meigetsu-in in Kamakura, is called with the name "Hydrangea Temple" by the locals.

 

 

毎年、梅雨の時期になると、たくさんのあじさいが咲く。

 

Every year, when it comes to the rainy season, a lot of hydrangea blooms.

 

 

明月院の案内によると、創建は１１６０年に始まった。

 

According to the guidance of Meigetsu-in, foundation began in 1160.

 

 

１２５６年、北條氏が寺を建立。

 

1256, Hojo CLAN builded the temple.

 

 

明月院の庭はあじさいで有名である。

 

The garden of Meigetsu-in is a famous for their Hydrangea.

 

 

明月院は、現在、日本の国宝である。

 

Currently, Meigetsuin is The National Treasure of Japan.

 

 

場所はＪＲ横須賀線北鎌倉駅から徒歩約１５分。

 

Location is about 15 minutes walk from JR Yokosuka Line, Kita-Kamakura station.

 

(Tokyo — Yokohama - Totsuka - Oofuna - Kita-Kamakura)

(Totsuka - Kita-Kamakura is 160 yen)

 

 

拝観料、３００円。

 

Admission fee, 300 yen.

 

 

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National Historic Site — Meigetsu-in

 

Meigetsu-in was founded in the year 1160 as “Meigetsy-an” (Bright Moon Hermitage) by Yamanouchi Tsunetoshi for the repose of the soul of his father Toshimichi, who died in the Battle of Heiji the previous year. In 1256, Hojo Tokiyori choose the site for the construction of a Buddhist temple called Saimyoji (northwest of present-day Meigetsu-in).

 

(From Meigetsu-in official text leaflet)

 

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[caption id="attachment_5887" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院入り口 (Meigetsu-in gate)

 

[caption id="attachment_5888" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院のあじさい (Hydrangea in Meigetsu-in)

 

[caption id="attachment_5889" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院のあじさい (Hydrangea in Meigetsu-in)

 

[caption id="attachment_5891" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院山門 (Meigetsu-in main gate of the temple)

 

[caption id="attachment_5892" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院のあじさい (Hydrangea in Meigetsu-in)

 

[caption id="attachment_5894" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院山門 とあじさい (Meigetsu-in main gate of the temple and Hydrangea)

 

[caption id="attachment_5895" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院山門とあじさい (Meigetsu-in main gate of the temple and Hydrangea)

 

[caption id="attachment_5896" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院のあじさい (Hydrangea in Meigetsu-in)

 

[caption id="attachment_5898" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

明月院山門 (Meigetsu-in main gate of the temple)

 

[caption id="attachment_5899" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

本堂  (The main hall of the temple)

 

[caption id="attachment_5900" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

枯山水庭園 (Karesansui garden)

 

[caption id="attachment_5901" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

開山堂 (The founding a temple hall)

 

[caption id="attachment_5902" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

開山堂の横にある瓶の井（井戸） (The well besides The founding a temple hall)

 

[caption id="attachment_5903" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

説明が無い、神社と同じ注連縄の張ってある岩 (The rock with Shimenawa in Shrine, but without explanations)

 

[caption id="attachment_5905" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP, Toshiki Shirose)[/caption]

 

開山堂から枯山水庭園に降りる階段 (The stair to Karesansui garden from The founding a temple hall)

 

(R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 4 July 2013)