Eishoji Temple

Kamakura's Only Convent

Eishoji Temple is Kamakura's only convent and was founded by Lady Okachi, a concubine of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun. It stands on the site of a mansion owned by her ancestor, Ota Dokan. The temple has many architectural treasures such as the sammon gate with its fine sculptural decorations, the Buddha hall, the bell tower, the shido hall and its karamon gate. Since the temple prospered with the support of the Tokugawa family, the Tokugawa clan emblem, a three-leaf hollyhock, can be found in the hall and on other buildings