Hase-dera Temple

Overview

Hase-dera is a Jodo sect temple in Kamakura. Formally known as Kaikozan Jishoin Hase-dera (Mountain Name: Kaikozan, Temple Name: Jishoin), it's also known as Hase-Kannon (Hase Kannon Temple). Its principal image is an Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statue, one of the largest wooden Buddhist statues in Japan. The temple's founder is Tokudo Shonin. It's the fourth temple on the Banto Thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage route. While tradition places Hase-dera's founding in the Nara period, its history before the medieval era is unclear, and the exact founding date and circumstances remain unknown. According to temple legend, in 736 AD (Tenpyo 8), Fujiwara no Fujama invited Tokudo, the founder of Hase-dera Temple in Yamato (Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture), to establish the temple with the Eleven-faced Kannon statue as its principal image. In 721 AD (Yōrō 5), Tokudo found a giant camphor tree in the mountains of Yamato and carved two Eleven-faced Kannon statues. One (the original) became the Kannon statue of Yamato Hase-dera, and the other was entrusted to the sea. Fifteen years later, this statue washed ashore at Nagaiura in the Miura Peninsula and was enshrined in Kamakura, marking the founding of Hase-dera. An inscription on the temple's bronze bell from 1264 AD (Bun'ei 1) indicates that it was cast by the metalworker Monobe Suetaka at the behest of the then-priest, Shinko. This confirms the temple's existence at that time, and that it was then called "New Hase-dera." Other artifacts dating back to the Kamakura period include stone monuments inscribed with 1262 AD (Kocho 2) and 1308 AD (Tokuji 3) dates, and a hanging Buddha (kakebotoke) inscribed with 1326 AD (Karyaku 1). According to the Edo-period geographical record "Shinpen Kamakura-shi" and the temple's own records, "Soushu Kamakura Kaikozan Hase-dera Jijitsu," successive rulers contributed to the construction and repair of the temple buildings and principal image. In 1342 AD (Koyo 1), Ashikaga Takauji repaired the temple buildings and statues. In 1392 AD (Meitoku 3), Ashikaga Yoshimitsu repaired the Kannon statue's halo and enshrined a statue traditionally attributed to Gyoki as a frontal statue (maedachi). In 1547 AD (Tenbun 16), it received a donation from Hojo Ujiyasu, and in 1591 AD (Tensho 19), it received a tax exemption certificate from Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1607 AD (Keicho 12), the temple buildings were renovated, and in 1645 AD (Shoho 2), Sakai Tadakatsu also renovated the temple buildings. Hase-dera converted to the Jodo sect at the beginning of the Edo period, following the renovation of the temple buildings by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1607 AD (Keicho 12). Gyokuyo Shunso, the then-priest, is considered the temple's restorer. Shortly after the end of World War II, during the period of turmoil when the two major head temples of Jodo sect, Kinkaku-ji and Chion-in, became independent, Hase-dera also became an independent temple. The main temple buildings, including the Kannon Hall, are situated on a hillside overlooking the sea. The current buildings were rebuilt after the Great Kanto Earthquake. Hase-dera has deep connections with literary figures; the grounds feature a poem stone by Takahama Kyoshi, and a bust of Kume Masao. Takayama Chogyu lived here in 1901 (Meiji 34), and there is a monument commemorating this. Hase-dera is a quintessential Kamakura sightseeing spot, a recommended place to enjoy history and nature.