Kamakura Shrine

It is located in Nikaido, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. The deity enshrined is Prince Moriyoshi, son of Emperor Godaigo. The prince was called Son'un Hoshinno, became the head priest of Tendai, and returned to secular life in 1332 (Ganko 2). He was a driving force behind the Kenmu Restoration, but after its establishment he was imprisoned in Kamakura by Ashikaga Takauji in 1334 (Kenmu 1), and the following year he was killed by Ashikaga Tadayoshi during the Nakasendai Rebellion led by Hojo Tokiyuki. In 1868 (Meiji 1), a shrine was established at Shogoin in Kyoto, and the following year Kamakura Shrine was built on the site of the former Tokoji Temple in Nikaido, Kamakura, which is said to be the place where the prince died. Former Kanpei-chusha Shrine. The annual festival is held on August 20th. The Takiginou Shinto ritual, which takes place on September 21st and 22nd, is famous. Within the shrine grounds are Murakami Shrine, which enshrines Murakami Yoshiteru, who took the prince's place and committed suicide in Yoshino, and Minami-sha Shrine, which enshrines Minami-no-kata (the daughter of Fujiwara Yasufuji), a female aide who served the prince during his imprisonment.

[Takafusa Hiraizumi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

神奈川県鎌倉市二階堂に鎮座。祭神は後醍醐(ごだいご)天皇の皇子護良(もりよし)親王。親王は法名を尊雲(そんうん)法親王と称し、天台座主(ざす)となり、1332年（元弘2）に還俗(げんぞく)。建武(けんむ)中興推進の原動力となったが、中興成立後の1334年（建武1）足利尊氏(あしかがたかうじ)の手で鎌倉に幽閉され、翌年北条時行の中先代の乱のとき、足利直義(ただよし)によって殺された。1868年（明治1）京都の聖護院(しょうごいん)に親王奉斎の神座を設け、翌年親王終焉(しゅうえん)の地と伝えられる鎌倉二階堂東光寺旧跡に鎌倉宮が創建された。旧官幣中社。例祭は8月20日。9月21、22日に境内で行われる薪能(たきぎのう)の神事は有名。境内には、親王の身代りとなって吉野に自刃した村上義光(よしてる)を祀(まつ)る村上社、幽閉中の親王の側近に仕えた女官南方(みなみのかた)（藤原保藤(やすふじ)の女(むすめ)）を祀る南方社がある。

［平泉隆房］

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