The stones remember . . .

[dgpno2]

. . . and I remembered this one which I re-visited in Kamakura, briefly an ancient capital of Japan, the other day.

[simato73]

What does the writing say?

[dgpno2]

What does the writing say?

I have no idea! It's not a grave-stone but more probably a memorial to one of the founders or major benefactors of the temple. The large characters will be his name and the others perhaps a brief eulogy or poem.

Perhaps one of our Japanese members can shed some light . . . a difficulty may be that these are ancient forms of the characters and may not be in use in present-day Japanese.

[Akira]

This is a kind of "name plate" of the sub-temple that belongs to Engaku-ji shrine which is also my favirite to visit in Kamakura.

The big three chinese letters read "Nyoi-an".  "Nyoi" means "at will", and "an", "a hut".  "Nyoi" is also a name of a tool used by the Buddhist monk for his sermons and memorial services.  According to the Wiki, the Nyoi-an was founded in 1370.

[dgpno2]

Thanks, Akira - it's nice to know the proper facts, and my guess about the stone was wrong. I photographed it in 2004 - the last time I shot with film in Japan, and I wanted to see Engakuiji again, and the stone.

[simato73]

I had not realised until reading Akira's post on the Tokio get-together that you are actually David Paterson in disguise
Funny...

[Akira]

I had not realised until reading Akira's post on the Tokio get-together that you are actually David Paterson in disguise
Funny...

Simone, I understand that is a temporary account for Dave to access NG while he is in Japan.