Kamakura City has cut down approximately 520 trees surrounding the 'Crying Tower,' a memorial for those who died in the battle leading to the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate, in preparation for a new city hall.
Kamakura City, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, has announced the removal of around 520 trees surrounding a historic memorial known as the 'Crying Tower.' This tower symbolizes the mourning of war dead from the battles associated with the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate in the early 14th century. The city justified the tree removal as necessary for the construction of a new city hall and to prevent landslide risks. However, local officials have expressed their sadness over the significant change to the area's landscape.
The 'Crying Tower,' formally recognized as a stone pagoda, stands at 203 centimeters tall and is believed to commemorate those who lost their lives when the warlord Nitta Yoshisada attacked Kamakura in 1333. The memorial bears inscriptions referencing a memorial service held in 1356, indicating that it may have been established for the 23rd anniversary of the deaths. Folklore suggests that the tower received its name when it was relocated and upon returning to its original site, local residents reported hearing sorrowful murmurs, leading to its identification as a place of crying.
This decision to clear the area raises concerns about the preservation of historical sites amidst urban development. As discussions about the new city hall proceed, local residents and historians alike are worried about the implications this act has for cultural heritage and the connection to Kamakura's significant historical events. The tower not only serves as a memorial but also as a historical touchstone for the community, and its exposed setting may alter the way future generations interact with this poignant part of their heritage.
