[Spots] Tokeiji Temple, Jochiji Temple, Kenchoji Temple, Ennoji Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Hasedera Temple, and Kotokuin Temple
[Visitor] A Bulgarian graduate student
[Attendant] 1 KSGG member
[Language] English
The visitor wanted to visit as many temples and shrines as possible. We met at Kitakamakura Station. After I explained Japanese history and a variety of Buddhist statues, we went to Tokeiji Temple. We saw Suigetu Kannon which I had made a reservation to see beforehand. After visiting Jochiji Temple, Kenchoji Temple, and Ennoji Temple, we went to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. When she drew an Omikuji (a fortune oracle that people draw in temples and shrines) there, she found it was bad; it read, “You shall fail in studies.” So she seemed to be so upset. I hear that there are a lot of kyo (a bad luck) in Hachimangu Shrine. So we should take care of foreigners who worry about the bad results. When we finished lunch, she was in a good mood. She tried drawing Omikuji again at Hasedera Temple, and found that has: “Academic performances shall be unsatisfactory in the beginning, but successful in the end.” She also didn’t seem to like it. “Your dream will come true at the end, so never mind.” “Easy success won’t bring true learning. It is significant to work hard to succeed as a scholar.” I encouraged her that way. As a graduate student, she had a strong interest in being successful in her study. She especially prayed at the fifth Subordinate Deity of Learning in the Benten Kutsu Cave. At “Mameya” (a beans shop), she enjoyed tasting various kinds of dried beans. It made her enjoy the tour around Kamakura more.