天狗の像 ｰ 半僧坊、建長寺

半僧坊より ｰ 建長寺

Hanzo-bo is a shrine in Kencho-ji, where in the mountain at the far end of Kencho-ji.

One day in the Meiji era, a priest of Kencho-ji dreamed of looking at an old man who seemed to be a half-priest. Then, the priest asked Hoko-ji in Shizuoka for ‘bunrei’ (re-enshrined somewhere else) of Hanzo-bo which is enshrined at Hoko-ji as a guardian of Kencho-ji.

Hanzo-bo is located at the far end of Kencho-ji, and you need to go up many stairs. On the way, I found pink flowers of Himetsurusoba (Pink knotweed) blooming on both sides of an approach. Going up the stairs, there is a maple tree. Further going, there are some Tengu statues.

After praying in the main hall of Hanzo-bo, further up the mountain, there is a place to enjoy a beautiful view. From there, you’ll see Kencho-ji’s buildings such as Sanmon, Butsudan, etc. You’ll also see the sea in Kamakura in the distance.

You can go along the road leading towards Kamakura as hiking trails to Zuisen-ji, or Kakuon-ji.