Kamakura Diabutsu
This famous view of one of my favorite spots, in a town I've always enjoyed, has another side. Kamakura is an old city with many interesting shrines, temples and gardens. Some of its festivals are both historic and interesting even to one not fully aware of their origin or current significance. I believe in this respect I enjoyed it second only to Kyoto.
I've tried to return each time I've been away from Japan any length of time and find the same serene place as pictured, though the noise outside seems to grow. Some notable sights are good for seeing once, being checked off the list and visited no more in the "seen that" attitude. This is one for returning, even for a few moments.
On my first visit an old man, a crippled veteran if I recall, did business outside the gates. He carved and sold tiny little wooden things. Each was packed in one of those beautiful handcrafted wooden boxes. My box is just under 2 inches long by 1¼ wide by just over 1 high. A tiny fitted lid is covered outside by classical calligraphy and inside by tiny, tiny little characters that appear to be stamped. Inside lies a bit of tissue protecting a little 1 inch tall and about ¼ wide wooden shaft on a decorative base. The shaft cover slides off to reveal the tiny temple like arch upon which it slides. Inside sit two rice grains with openings cut into the husks to reveal the carved grain itself. Under magnification the features of two tiny holy figures appear. On return trips in the next few years he was still there, but he and his figures are now long gone.
Box and Two Rice Grain Figures
Regular office staple in upper left of box for scale.
The great bronze figure dating from the mid 13th Century once sat in a temple that was destroyed by a tsunami in 1495. As much as I might wish another ancient Japanese temple still stood, my personal opinion is that the setting is more striking as seen under the sky, surrounded by natural vegetation in the distance and the near Japanese garden setting in the immediate surroundings. I cannot imagine any temple setting could be as complimentary to the great meditating figure that has long been noted for the sense of tranquility it imposes.
On my visits I've noticed many first time Western visitors seem surprised if they walk to the back. More than a few did not. They looked at the view, walked about the front area, took their photos and left.
The back and interior of Kamakura Diabutsu. Stairs lead to the shrine in the head.
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