Deepening pessimism in Japan's time of disunity and violence increases the appeal of the search for salvation.

Kamakura is the age of the great popularization of Buddhism with two new sects, Jodo (Pure Land) and Zen (Meditation), dominating the period.

The old Heian sects had been quite esoteric and more appealing to intellectuals than to the masses.

The Mount Hiei monasteries have become politically powerful but appeal primarily to those capable of systematic study of the sect's teachings.

This situation gives rise to the Jodo sect, based on unconditional faith and devotion and prayer to Amida Buddha.

Zen rejects all temporal and scriptural authority, stressing moral character rather than intellectual attainments, an emphasis that appeals to the military class

Zen masters, regarded as embodiments of truth, are turned to by growing numbers of the military class.