Ennô-Ji
Hearn introduced this temple in "A Pilgrimage to Enoshima", but he mistook its name for "Zen-Ôji".
The web author guesses there are two possible reasons why Hearn had made such a mistake. One is that Ennô-ji is a temple of Zen sect as a fact. And the another is that the name of this temple written in Chinese Characters also could have pronounced like "En-Woe-Gee" those days.
This temple had established in 1250 by a Zen priest Chikaku, or Sôden Dôkaï. It had been located near the Daïbutsu at first, then transfered to the place near the Yuï-ga-hama shore by Shôgun Minamoto-no-Takauji, Duke of Ashikaga, and was placed to current location after it had demolished with the earthquake in 1703.
This temple enshrines the Great King Yama, or the King of the Buddhist Hades, which is called "Emma-Daï-Ô" in Japanese. And this temple puts the statue of the King Yama as a symbol, which is said to be carved by Unkei, one of the greatest Buddha sculptor of Japan. In fact Unkei had died before this temple established. A legend says that the King Yama had revived Unkei to carve his image when this temple had established.
Anyway, the face of the statue looks a little bit funny, so it is called "Waraï-Emma", or "Smiling Yama". Unfortunately, photography of the statue is not allowed.
Access from Tokyo Station
Kenchô-Ji and Ennô-Ji are very very very close.
Take Yokosuka Line (JR underground lanes) to go to Kita-Kamakura station. Engaku-ji is just in front of there.
- Walk along the road beside the rail and turn left when you faced to the street across the rail. And walk about 5 more minutes along the street.
- Go across the rail at the station, and take the bus for Kamakura station. It takes about 3 minutes to Kenchô-ji IF THE TRAFFIC IS NOT CROWDED. Ennô-Ji is located at the opposite side of the road to Kenchô-Ji.
The entrance fee is 200 Yen.
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