Introduction to KamaKura by Ningyo Minamoto, Shanti Ashoka and Aria Murasaka Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, due to its numerous temples, shrines, and historical monuments, Kamakura was chief city of the Kanto region. From the 12th through 14th centuries the city became the political centre of Japan ruled by the samurai class. Location: Kamakura is a coastal town located in Kanagawa Prefecture, in the Honshu island. Physical Features: Kamakura is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the open water of Sagami Bay on the fourth. Symbols: Flower: Golden-rayed lily (Lilium auratum) Tree: Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) Bird: Common gull (Larus canus) History: Kamakura became the political center of Japan when Minamoto Yoritomo, after defeating the Taira clan, was appointed shogun and chose the city as the seat of his new military government in 1192. The Kamakura government (the Kamakura Bakufu, literally, “tent government”) continued to rule Japan for over a century, first under the Minamoto clan and then under the Hojo regents. Chinese influence continued to be relatively strong during this period. New Buddhist sects were introduced and the Zen school found large numbers of followers among the samurai, which were now the leading social class. In 1232 a legal code, the Joei Shikimoku was promulgated. It stressed Confucian values such as the importance of loyalty to the master. After the decline of the Kamakura government in the 14th century and the establishment of its successor, the Muromachi or Ashikaga government in Kyoto, Kamakura remained the political center of Eastern Japan for some time before losing its position to other cities. City-builders: Ningyo Minamoto Shanti Ashoka Aria Murasaka

Bai Long ~ Table of Contents ~ Shinju No Touhouya Test rowspan Wayang Qilin Qilin Horn Black Vengeance Dragon Pearls Burmese Temple Guards Protected by Ninja Test PN Maneki Neko Omamori Bangsangssi Masks Dragon Egg Phurba Takurt Magic Mirrors Skull Necklace Emperor's Emerald Kimono Magic Fans Damaru Drum TWTG Decorate a Chinese Opera Mask Oni test Kamakura TEST Chuen Hop ~ Tray of Togetherness Cha Ye Dan - Tea Leaf Eggs Qi Cai Yu Sheng - Rainbow Raw Fish Salad Sang Choy Bao - Lettuce Wraps Law Bock Gow - New Year Turnip Cake Jisi Liang Mien - Spicy Noodles with Chicken Ji Mah Gai See - Sesame Chicken on Shredded Lettuce Kai Kou Xiao - Burst Deep Fried Balls Hao Shi Ji Lai - Minced Dried Oyster with Diced Vegetables