Kamakura

About the Book

Kamakura rose as the first samurai capital in the 12th century. Shogun Yoritomo chose for the seat of his military government a natural fortress far from the intrigues of the court in Kyoto. He summoned from the capital carpenters to build grand temples and sculptors to carve images for their halls. His successors, the Hōjō, built the great Zen monasteries Kenchō-ji and Engaku-ji. Religious figures including Nichiren, Ippen, and Ninshō established temples of their respective Buddhist sects in the new city. Kamakura: A Contemplative Guide introduces the dramatic and often violent lives of these figures and walks you through shrine and temple precincts, illuminating the features of their halls, gardens, and statuary. It takes you over the passes cut sheer through rock to give entrance to the city. It shows Kamakura through the eyes of the writers and artists drawn to the seaside city by its laid-back pace, rich history, and abundant greenery. Rare photographs complement the text. Lucid maps pinpoint places of interest. Finally, Kamakura: A Contemplative Guide explains how the establishment of the first samurai capital, from whence the ethic and spirit of the Eastern warrior spread nationwide, was of significance in the formation of Japan.

About the Author

Burritt Sabin first came to Japan as a naval officer in 1975 and has lived there ever since. He later embarked on a career in journalism, writing columns for the Asahi Shimbun and Japan Times. He is the author of A Historical Guide to Yokohama: Sketches of the Twice-Risen Phoenix.