OMAMORI Collection Vol.16 – 鎌倉覚園寺のお守り

鎌倉覚園寺のお守りです。
一二一八年、北条義時公の薬師如来信仰により建てられた大倉薬師堂が、覚園寺のはじまりです。
一二九六年、北条貞時公が、元寇の再来がないように願い、智海心慧律師を開山として、真言・天台・禅・浄土の四宗を学べる道場、覚園寺といたしました。
写真のお守りは「武士ノ御守」で、頑張っている「道」が「幸」せになるご利益があるそうです。
他にも、義時公に生命の危機を知らせた例の白いワンコのお守り「伐折羅（ばさら）大将（戌神将）の御守」もあります。
鎌倉駅から３０分ほど歩きますが、喧騒から離れ一歩足を踏み入れた瞬間から空気がガラリと変わるのが印象的です。どこを見渡しても豊かな木々と苔に覆われており、まさに「鎌倉の隠れ里」という言葉がぴったりの神聖な雰囲気が漂っていました。

Here is the English translation of your text, capturing the history, the description of the amulets, and the serene atmosphere of Kakuen-ji Temple:
This is an amulet from Kakuen-ji Temple in Kamakura.
Kakuen-ji began in 1218 with the founding of Okura Yakushido Hall, built through the faith in the Medicine Buddha (Yakushi Nyorai) held by Hojo Yoshitoki. Later, in 1296, Hojo Sadatoki prayed for protection against a potential second Mongol invasion and established Kakuen-ji, inviting the Ritsu sect prelate Chikai Shinkei as its founding abbot. It was created as a training center where monks could study four Buddhist sects: Shingon, Tendai, Zen, and Jodo.
The amulet in the photo is the “Samurai Amulet” (Bushi no Omamori), which is said to bestow the blessing of bringing “happiness” (sachi) to the “path” (michi) or endeavor you are currently working hard on.
There is also another unique amulet featuring the “white dog” that warned Yoshitoki of a mortal danger—the amulet of the Vajra General (Dog Heavenly General) (Basara Taisho / Inushinsho).
It is about a 30-minute walk from Kamakura Station, but the moment you step inside away from the hustle and bustle, the air shifts completely. Covered entirely in lush trees and moss, it truly feels like a sacred sanctuary, fittingly earning the description of “Kamakura’s hidden village.

About Hojo Yoshitoki
Hojo Yoshitoki (1163–1224) was a powerful samurai leader and the second Shikken (regent) of the Kamakura Shogunate, effectively holding the real political power in Japan during the early 13th century. Following the Genpei War, he worked alongside his father, Hojo Tokimasa, to establish the dominance of目 the Hojo clan, and later consolidated control after eliminating rival powerful families like the Hiki and the Wada clans.
During the Jokyu War in 1221, he successfully defeated the Imperial Court’s forces led by the retired Emperor Gotoba. This historic victory firmly established samurai dominance over the imperial government and expanded the shogunate’s authority nationwide. Together with his sister Masako, he established the Goseibai Shikimoku, the first written code of samurai law, which provided a stable judicial system for the warrior class.
In terms of his connection to Kamakura, he was a devout follower of Buddhism and commissioned the Okura Yakushido Hall in 1218, which later became the foundation of Kakuen-ji Temple.