Ennō-ji, Buddhist temple in Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Japan
Ennō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Yamanouchi featuring a large wooden statue of King Enma positioned in the main hall and surrounded by images of ten other rulers. The building houses this religious collection as its focal point for worship and prayer.
The temple was founded in 1250 by a disciple of the monk who also established the nearby Kenchō-ji temple. It survived a major earthquake and tsunami in the early 1700s, after which it was rebuilt and has endured since.
The temple is dedicated to King Enma, a figure who judges human deeds in Buddhist belief and plays an important role in the local spiritual life. This focus shapes how the space is arranged and used by people who come here to pray.
The temple sits about one minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station and is easy to reach. Visitors should plan to enter the main hall and view the central statue and surrounding artwork during their visit.
The wooden statue of the king stands out for its soft, almost smiling expression, which differs from stricter representations found in other temples. This surprising gentleness in the face of an otherwise stern underworld judge makes the statue memorable.
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