History
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was established by Minamoto Yoriyoshi (源 頼義, 988-1075) in 1063. He built the foundations for the Minamoto warrior clan in the east of Japan after the suppression of the rebellion in 1062. He returned to Kamakura, and built a small shrine for the Hachiman kami (the Japanese word for Shinto deities or sacred beings) near the coast by way of thanks for success in suppressing the rebellion.
The presentday Tsurugaoka Hachimangu owes its origins to Yoriyoshi’s descendant, Minamoto Yoritomo (源 頼朝, 1147-1199), head of the Minamoto clan. Yoritomo came to Kamakura to raise the flag of revolt against Taira clan in 1180. The reason he chose Kamakura as his base was because it was here that his great ancestor had successfully put down the 1063 rebellion. He moved the shrine to the present site and built a more magnificent shrine. This new shrine was called Tsurugaoka Wakamiya (鶴岡若宮), which means the new shrine at Tsurugaoka.
The Heian period was coming to an end, and the power of the aristocracy was being transferred to the military class. The conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans resulted in victory for the Minamoto clan, and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate.
In 1192, Yoritomo was appointed shogun and founded the Kamakura shogunate. This was the first samurai regime in Japanese history. The supremacy of the samurai lasted thereafter until the Tokugawa shogunate collapsed in 1867. Thus, it can be said that Yoritomo laid the foundations for this huge expanse of Japanese history. He was thereafter respected as an ideal leader, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was also regarded as a religious authority for subsequent shogunates.
Yoritomo developed Kamakura city as a capital, and set Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in the centre of the city. It seems that Yoritomo worshipped Tsurugaoka Hachimangu as he revered the Imperial Court in Kyoto.
When Kamakura city was the capital of Japan, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu played an important role not only as a religious authority but also as a parliament. The Shogunate hosted many majestic rituals in Tsurugaoka Hachimangu , but this shrine was also used as the political centre of the realm.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was built upon Yoritomo’s faith and respect for his ancestors’ achievements. Yoritomo’s devotional behavior to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was deemed an ideal for subsequent shogun and samurai to aspire to. Many shoguns and their followers worshipped Tsurugaoka Hachimangu as Yoritomo did, and built shrines for the deity Hachiman in various locations throughout Japan.
Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川 家康, 1543-1616) the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate also funded repairs to shrine buildings. He worshiped Tsurugaoka Hachimangu as his family’s tutelary shrine. Successive shoguns in Tokugawa shogunate also dedicated horses and swords, and hosted magnificent rituals at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.
The current main shrine is a typical example of Edo shrine architecture; it was constructed in 1828. Wakamiya was restored in 1624, and both were thrived owing to the lavish support of the Tokugawa shogunate. Nowadays, these buildings are designated as a nationally important cultural property.
In 1873, Emperor Meiji held army maneuvers in the precinct, and also worshipped at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Today, Kamakura is famous for many historical sites and beautiful views. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is still located at the centre of Kamakura, attracting the respect and the faith of many..