Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Great Buddha of Kamakura : A Must Visit Place!



 credits to: andrusm.deviantart.com

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Whatever your religion may be, one must learn how to respect each. Be it Christianity, Islam or Buddhism, one must practice courtesy of shrines and temples, churches and mosques. Buddhism being one of Japan’s main religions, it is no wonder that the Great Buddha of Kamakura is considered as a sacred destination by all tourists alike, local and foreign, Buddhist or not.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a giant cast-in-bronze statue, known by most with its popular name Daibutsu. It is considered a National Treasure and is founded circa 1243. Its official name is Taiisan Kotokuin Shojo Senji and is seated on the holy grounds of Kotukuin. The statue centuries old, it was historical figure Yoritomo Minamoto who dreamt of building it after seeing the Great Buddha Statue of Todaiji in Nara. Unfortunately, he died without seeing his wish materialize.

 credits : google maps


credits :  traveljapanblog.com
 
A court lady though, by the name of Inada, decided to make his dream a reality and by 1243, the halls and the statue itself were completed. However, in the storm of 1247, the wooden Buddha was completely destroyed and a new one was commissioned, one made in bronze. Daibutsu fell into disrepair through the centuries and it fell to some priests to restore it. Without their efforts, the statue seated in lotus position and serenely meditating would’ve been broken by now if the erosion and neglect pervaded.


 credits : gojapango.com


The statue is open for viewing and entry costs 200 yen for adults and 150 yen for children. Everyone visiting Japan should not miss the spectacular sight of the calm Buddha against the backdrop of sloping hills and verdant trees.
 credits : japan-guide.com
So the next time you'd visit the wonderful country of Japan, take time to visit and appreciate the beauty of the Great Buddha of Kamakura! What about you? What place in Japan would you like to visit if ever you're given the chance to do so?

31 comments:

  1. Definitely this place first!

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  2. This place looks really lovely! I would love to go here, but I want to go to the Monkey park. *o*

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    1. Hi Kylaaaaa! Let's try and go there together someday! Also the Monkey Park sounds like a really great place to go at! *A*

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  3. I'd love to go to the Tokyo Tower, but if ever I go to Japan, I'd love to visit this place too! (also sorry bia i have no gmail account hehe)

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    2. Thank you for your comment friend! I'd like to visit the Tokyo tower too! Someday, for sure!

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  4. A must visit place for a Buddhist!!

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  5. I went to Japan before but I hadn't visit this place before, I'm sure I'll pay a visit if I'm going to Japan again~

    Also I missed Hokkaido, its a lovely place
    Hokkaido ice-creams there is a must! ^q^/

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    1. Thank you for sharing your experience! It must be so wonderful to visit Japan! Thanks for the information about Hokkaido's frozen treat! I'll make sure to take note of that!

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  6. Well since I'm an anime lover I'd love to go to Tokyo Anime Center! Also Id love to go visit the Japanese bookstores which sells manga books also go and experience what it is like to be on a Japanese cosplay cafe! I heard a lot about it since I'm a regular lurker in the internet. It must have be really nice.

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    1. Oh same here! I'm an anime enthusiast like you! Visiting the Tokyo Anime Center is a must once I get to visit Japan! It's filled with all the anime goodies a fangirl like me needs! Also I'd love to experience going to a Japanese cosplay cafe too! I had experience once here in the Philippines but I'm sure there would be a difference once I get to experience the ones in Japan!

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  7. As a huge fan of Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni, I'd really love to go to Shirakawa-go, the place where Hinamizawa was based on. Aside from that, I think it's a really pretty-looking village and it's a definite must-see even if you've never heard of the show (besides, that part is just a little cherry on top). Great article, by the way!

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    1. Hi Kyra! Hehe, as expected from an otaku like you, you'd want to visit something related on your interests and to one of your main fandoms! I'm sure Shirakawa-go looks stunning not only in pictures but also in personal! Thank you! I really appreciated the fact that you commented on my article!

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  8. Tokyo Sky Tree :D

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  9. The Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka!!!! I'm a big fan of Studio Ghibli and its movie so I really want to go :D

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    1. Same! I'm a big fan of Studio Ghibli's works too! There's a lot of places I'd like to go to in Japan and I would love to take a visit at the Studio Ghibli's museum :)

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  10. I wish I can visit Harajuku one day!

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  11. Wonderful article Bia! Keep it up! I'd love to visit this place if I ever got the chance to.

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  12. I really love your article. :) You really did a great job in doing this.

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  13. You did a great job in doing your article! Love it! :)

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  14. I really wish I could go to Japan someday and had a chance to visit great place like this~! Worth reading and AWESOME ARTICLE~!

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  15. Love your article Bia :))) Keep it up! Go Mongoloid :)))

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  16. Happy Birthday :D lol.

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  18. Nice article Bismuth A ;) haha I like your way of delivering the details about this place. hope to visit this someday :) anyway two thumbs up! :DD

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  19. Truly a magnificent work of art. Must visit.

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  20. Very, very great article, Bia-chan! Really very informative!

    Well, better put this on my list of sights-to-visit-when-I-go-to-Japan!

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  21. Wow! Great job on writing this article.

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