Date : near 1300
Material : Wood
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Outdoor Architecture
Outdoor architecture (Temple)
Area related
Kamakura (Japon)
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| Description |  |
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Tacchu are sub-temples built usually in memory of the departed chief priests or great ones who achieved outstanding performances. In the Temple, there are a dozen or so sub-temples in the grounds. Unfortunately, most of them are not open to stray visitors.
Situated on the left-hand slope of the Hojo Hall, this sub-temple was initially built in 1307 by Sadatoki Hojo, the Ninth Hojo Regent, in memory of Priest Tokken Yakuo {tok-ken yah-koo-o} (1244-1320), the 15th chief priest. Shortly after birth, he was orphaned and brought here as a trainee. Growing up, he devoted himself to studying Zen as a disciple of Priest Rankei. So outstanding was his achievement, he was given a chance to visit China for further study.
Later, he was nominated as the 15th chief priest and was given the Buddhist name of Butto {boot-toh} the National Teacher, the first priest ever who was given such an honorable title while alive. A statue of Sho Kan'non Bosatsu or Avalokitesvara-bodhisattva in Skt., made during the Muromachi Period, is enshrined here as well as Priest Yakuo's statue. Sho Kan'non ranks 29th of the Thirty-Three Kan'non Pilgrimage in Kamakura. However, this sub-temple accepts only those pilgrims who can recite Han'nya singyo {han-nya shin-gyo} or the Heart sutra before the altar.
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