Kamakura

Discover the Kawazutsumi-no-tachi—a rare Important Cultural Property at Ōyamazumi Shrine on Ōmishima Island. This treasure pairs an ancient signed blade by the Ko-Hōki-school smith Aritsuna with a battle-ready leather-wrapped mounting in yamagane fittings. Learn about its history, what to look for in person, and how to plan your visit to Japan's unparalleled storehouse of samurai arms.

This article introduces the Kuro-urushi Tachi, an unsigned slim tachi mounting designated as an Important Cultural Property and preserved at Ōyamazumi Shrine on Ōmishima Island, Ehime Prefecture. With an overall length of 99.8 cm, the Kamakura-period mounting features hemp-cloth wrapping coated in deep black lacquer, gilt-bronze fittings, and a distinctive balance-weight (fundō) shaped guard. It served for centuries as the symbolic sword bestowed at the succession ceremony of the Ōhafuri, the hereditary chief priestly family of one of Japan's most ancient and revered shrines. Designated in 1901, the sword embodies a rare, unbroken link between a cultural object and a living ritual tradition. The article covers the sword's craftsmanship, the reasons for its designation, its sacred role within the shrine, highlights of the treasure halls where it is preserved, and practical guidance for visitors traveling to Ōmishima via the famed Shimanami Kaidō.

An early Kamakura great armor laced with purple twill at Oyamazumi Shrine, Ehime, a National Treasure since 1953 and the oldest of three known twill-laced armors.

Tucked away in the rice fields of Saijo City, Ehime, the Wooden Seated Statue of Zen Master Buttsū at Hokoku-ji Temple is a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. This 78.3 cm portrait sculpture of the Kamakura-period Zen master Chikotsu Daie, lovingly nicknamed Kurobotoke-san for its glossy black surface, even traveled to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in 1970. Discover its history, artistic value, viewing tips, and nearby attractions.

A pagoda finial planted in the ground as a monument in itself: 9.16 metres of hammered copper on a wooden core, raised at Sairenji in 1287 and incised with donors.

Hidden in a wooded hollow at Fukusenji Temple in Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture, this life-size standing Shakyamuni Buddha was carved in the late Kamakura period and designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1916. Its rope-coiled hair, exposed cypress finish, and concentric drapery follow the famous Seiryōji-style tradition tracing back through Song China to ancient Indian Gandhāran art. The statue is publicly opened once a year, on April 8.

Preserved at Muryōjuji Temple in Hokota City, Ibaraki, the Shūi Kotokuden is a colored picture scroll on paper composed by Kakunyo, third head priest of Hongan-ji. A surviving fragment from the 1608 fire, this Kamakura-period yamato-e was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1917.

Discover the Illustrated Biography of Prince Shōtoku, a Kamakura-period handscroll designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan and preserved at Jōgūji temple in Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Painted in the soft yamato-e tradition, the 7.39-metre scroll narrates the life of Prince Shōtoku in fourteen scenes and arrived at this rural temple as a gift from Honganji's Kennyo following the Ishiyama War.

Discover the Silk-Painted Biography of Prince Shōtoku, a set of four hanging scrolls designated as a National Important Cultural Property and held by Myōan-ji temple in Bandō City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Created during the Kamakura period to support the Pure Land mission in eastern Japan, this masterpiece depicts about seventy scenes from Prince Shōtoku's legendary life. Learn about its founding by Jōnen, a disciple of Shinran, the painting's iconographic highlights, where to see the faithful replica, visitor access, and surrounding pilgrimage sites.

Goryusonryuin Temple Pagoda in Kurashiki is a 3.8-meter granite stupa said to date from 1240, with a relic chamber, carved celestials and Kamakura-style eaves.

The Three-Storied Pagoda of Chofukuji in Mimasaka, Okayama dates to 1285 and is the oldest wooden building in the prefecture. It stands 22.07 metres tall.

The Hokyoin Tower at Dōōji in Kurashiki is a 3.3-meter granite stupa dated 1314, raised by the fundraising monk Kakuen. How to read its inscriptions and reach it.

A Kamakura tachi by Nagamitsu of Bizen Osafune at the Hayashibara Museum of Art, Okayama, a National Treasure since 1957, with its original tang and mounting.

A Kamakura tachi by Yoshifusa of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school at the Hayashibara Museum of Art, Okayama, a National Treasure since 1955.

An unsigned Kamakura tanto by Masamune at the Hayashibara Museum of Art, Okayama, a National Treasure since 1957, famed as Kuki Masamune.

Discover the Wooden Senju Kannon and Two Attendant Statues of Mio-ji Temple in Niimi City, Okayama — a Kamakura-period three-figure ensemble of national importance, designated as far back as 1901. Explore the artistic value of the central Senju Kannon, the dynamic flanking figures of Fudo Myo-o and Bishamonten, the temple's Muromachi-era main hall, and nearby attractions in northern Okayama.

Held by Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate, these four Important Cultural Property masks include the Wakajo, whose ink inscription on the reverse dates it to 1291—making it the oldest dated Noh mask known to survive in Japan. Together with two Okina masks and one Roujo mask, they are still worn each year by Chusonji's monks during Kojitsu Shikisanban, a medieval ennen performance offered on May 4–5 and November 3 at the Hakusan Shrine Noh stage.

Built in 1296, the two-storey gate of Enkyoji in Kitagata is pure wayo carpentry and among the oldest buildings in Gifu Prefecture. It is free to view at any hour.

The late-Kamakura tahoto at Nichiryubuji stands on Mount Takasawa in Seki, traditionally linked to Hojo Masako. It is cypress-bark roofed and free to view.

Standing in the precincts of Nagataki Hakusan Shrine in Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, this hexagonal stone lantern bears an inscription dating it to 1302, the late Kamakura period. Carved from andesite and rising over three metres tall, it is decorated with lotus petals, running lions, and a small seated Buddha figure. Designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, it is one of the finest dated stone lanterns of medieval Japan and a rare surviving witness to the Mino-side centre of Hakusan mountain worship.